Question

A length L is measured as 125 m, which is also written as 12500 cm and 125000 mm. How many significant figures does this measurement have?

Options

• 6

• 5

• 4

• 3

Answer 1

3

Explanation: 

When a number is written without a decimal point, trailing zeros are not significant. Whether written as 125 m, 12500 cm, or 125000 mm, the measurement still has only 3 significant figures, 1, 2, and 5. This is why scientific notation is recommended to avoid such ambiguity.