Question

which of the following contains a \0\ that is not significant? hint: multiple answers may be correct. 0.12 120. 12.0 120 102

Explanation:

Step1: Recall significant figures rules

Significant figures rules: Leading zeros are not significant. Trailing zeros in a whole number without a decimal are not significant (they might be placeholders). Trailing zeros after a decimal are significant. Zeros between non - zero digits are significant.

Step2: Analyze each option

• Option 0.12: The zero here is a leading zero (before the non - zero digit 1). According to the rules, leading zeros are not significant.
• Option 120.: The decimal after the zero indicates that the trailing zero is significant (it shows that the measurement is precise to the ones place).
• Option 12.0: The zero after the decimal is significant (it shows the precision of the measurement to the tenths place).
• Option 120: The trailing zero in this whole number (without a decimal) is a placeholder and not significant (it just indicates the magnitude, the number could be written as \(1.2\times10^{2}\) where the zero is not significant in the coefficient form).
• Option 102: The zero between 1 and 2 is significant (zeros between non - zero digits are significant).

Answer:

0.12, 120