the number 0.0500 has ___ significant figures.

Explanation:

Step1: Identify significant - figure rules

Non - zero digits are always significant. Leading zeros (zeros before non - zero digits) are not significant. Trailing zeros (zeros after non - zero digits) are significant if there is a decimal point.

Step2: Analyze the number 0.0500

The leading zeros before 5 are not significant. The 5 is significant. The two zeros after 5 are significant because there is a decimal point. So there are 3 significant figures.

Answer:

3