How many significant figures are in the measured quantity 0.00450?

• A. 5
• B. 3
• C. 4
• D. 2

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify all the digits in the number 0.00450 and determine which are significant. Leading zeros (zeros before the first nonzero digit) are not significant.
2. Recognize that the digits '4' and '5' are significant because they are nonzero digits.
3. Note that the trailing zero after the '5' is significant because it comes after a decimal point and after a nonzero digit.
4. Count the significant digits: the '4', the '5', and the trailing zero, which gives a total of 3 significant figures.
5. Conclude that the number 0.00450 has 3 significant figures.