Question

how many significant figures does the following number have?1.2500 x 10³

Explanation:

Step1: Recall significant figures rules for scientific notation

In scientific notation \(a\times10^{n}\), the significant figures are determined by the coefficient \(a\). Trailing zeros in the coefficient (after the decimal if present, or in a non - decimal part when they are significant) are significant.
For the number \(1.2500\times 10^{3}\), the coefficient is \(1.2500\).

Step2: Count the significant figures in the coefficient

The digits in \(1.2500\) are \(1\), \(2\), \(5\), \(0\), \(0\). All of these digits are significant. So we count them: \(1\), \(2\), \(5\), \(0\), \(0\) gives us 5 significant figures.

Answer:

5 (corresponding to the option with 5)