Using the rules for significant figures, how many significant figures are in the measurement 0.00450?

• A. 4
• B. 3
• C. 2
• D. 5

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify all the digits in the measurement 0.00450 and determine which are significant based on the rules for significant figures.
2. Recall that leading zeros (zeros before the first nonzero digit) are not significant; they only serve as placeholders.
3. Count all nonzero digits and any zeros that come after a nonzero digit in the number as significant.
4. In 0.00450, the digits '4' and '5' are nonzero and significant, and the trailing zero after '5' is also significant because it indicates precision.
5. Sum the significant digits: the two nonzero digits plus the trailing zero, resulting in a total of 3 significant figures.