Deciphering the Precision- Determining the Number of Significant Figures in 60.02 x 10^5

How many significant figures are in the number 60.02 x 10^5?

In scientific notation, determining the number of significant figures can be a bit tricky, especially when the number includes a decimal point and an exponent. Let’s break down the number 60.02 x 10^5 to understand the concept of significant figures.

The number 60.02 has five significant figures. This is because all non-zero digits are significant, and in this case, the digits 6, 0, 0, 2, and 2 are all non-zero. Additionally, the decimal point is used to separate the significant figures from the zeros, so it is also considered significant. Therefore, the number 60.02 has five significant figures.

Now, let’s consider the exponent, which is 10^5. The exponent itself does not affect the number of significant figures in the base number. Instead, it indicates the magnitude of the number. In this case, the base number is 60.02, and when multiplied by 10^5, it becomes 60,020,000. Although the exponent changes the value of the number, it does not change the number of significant figures.

In conclusion, the number 60.02 x 10^5 has five significant figures. It is essential to understand the significance of each digit and the role of the decimal point and exponent when dealing with numbers in scientific notation.