Question

The number of significant figures in 1.73 seconds is__________?

• A. two
• B. four
• C. three
• D. one

Answer 1

Answer:

C. three

• The number 1.73 has three significant figures (1, 7, 3). 1.73 has 3 significant figures and 2 decimals.

• 1.73 rounded to 2 sig figs is 1.7, and to 1 sig figs is 2. To count the number of sig figs in 1.73, count all 3 digits since it has no insignificant digits (all digits are significant).

• Non-zero digits are always significant. In 1.73, all digits (1, 7, and 3) are non-zero.

• Therefore, there are three significant figures.