If a length is measured as 0.0500 m, how many significant figures does it have?

If a length is measured as 0.0500 m, how many significant figures does it have?

Step 1: Identify the number given, which is 0.0500 m.
Step 2: Look at the leading zeros (the zeros before the first non-zero digit). These are not significant.
Step 3: The first non-zero digit is 5. This is significant.
Step 4: Next, look at the zeros after the 5. The zeros in 0.0500 are significant because they come after a non-zero digit.
Step 5: Count the significant figures: 5 (1), 0 (2), 0 (3).
Step 6: Conclude that there are a total of 3 significant figures in the measurement 0.0500 m.

Significant Figures – Understanding how to identify significant figures in a measurement, including the rules for leading zeros, trailing zeros, and non-zero digits.