1.50x105and 150000 are the same but have different significant figures why
Dear student,
1.50 x 105 has 3 significant figures. Zero to the right of decimal is counted to be significant, that means upto the last zero digit measurement is made accurate.
150000 may have 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 significant figures. The zeroes here are just the place holders; we do not know accurately the digits after 1 & 5.
If we write 150000 as 1.5 x 105 then it has 2 significant figures.
If we write 150000 as 1.50 x 105 then it has 3 significant figures
If we write 150000 as 1.500 x 105 then it has 4 significant figures
If we write 150000 as 1.5000 x 105 then it has 5 significant figures
If we write 150000 as 150000.0 then it has 6 significant figures. Here the decimal point at the end is telling the 6 place accuracy of the measurement.
Regards
1.50 x 105 has 3 significant figures. Zero to the right of decimal is counted to be significant, that means upto the last zero digit measurement is made accurate.
150000 may have 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 significant figures. The zeroes here are just the place holders; we do not know accurately the digits after 1 & 5.
If we write 150000 as 1.5 x 105 then it has 2 significant figures.
If we write 150000 as 1.50 x 105 then it has 3 significant figures
If we write 150000 as 1.500 x 105 then it has 4 significant figures
If we write 150000 as 1.5000 x 105 then it has 5 significant figures
If we write 150000 as 150000.0 then it has 6 significant figures. Here the decimal point at the end is telling the 6 place accuracy of the measurement.
Regards