Question

unit c quick quiz qq2 under the standard rules for counting significant digits, which of the following numbers has the most significant digits. a. $5.0 \times 10^{-1}$ b. $5 \times 10^3$ c. $500,000$

Explanation:

First Question (Unit C Quick Quiz QQ2)

Step1: Count sig figs for a

$5.0 \times 10^{-1}$ has 2 significant digits (5 and 0, the trailing zero after decimal is significant).

Step2: Count sig figs for b

$5 \times 10^{3}$ has 1 significant digit (only 5, no trailing/leading sig zeros).

Step3: Count sig figs for c

500,000 has 1 significant digit (only 5, trailing zeros without decimal are not significant).

First, convert $10^5$ to a standard number: $10^5 = 100,000$. A book with 100,000 words is a reasonable length—typical novels range from 70,000 to 120,000 words, and non-fiction books can also fall in this range. The order of magnitude estimate aligns with real-world book lengths.

Answer:

a. $5.0 \times 10^{-1}$

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Second Question (Unit B Exercise 9)