How many significant figures does the number 23.070 have?

• A. 4
• B. 5
• C. 3
• D. 2

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify all the digits in the number 23.070. The digits are 2, 3, 0, 7, and 0.
2. Recall the rules for significant figures: all nonzero digits are significant, zeros between nonzero digits are significant, and trailing zeros in a decimal number are significant.
3. Apply these rules to the number 23.070: the digits 2 and 3 are nonzero and significant, the zero between 3 and 7 is significant because it is between nonzero digits, the 7 is significant, and the trailing zero after 7 is significant because it is after the decimal point.
4. Count all the significant digits identified: 2, 3, 0, 7, and 0, which totals 5 significant figures.
5. Conclude that the number 23.070 has 5 significant figures.