Which statement is NOT true about significant figures?

Which statement is NOT true about significant figures?

• A. Zeros to the left of the first nonzero digit are significant.
• B. Trailing zeros to the decimal are significant.
• C. Zeros at the end of a number with a decimal point are never significant.
• D. The number of sig figs in a product equals the least number of sig figs.

Answer: (C)

Significant figures convey how precise a measurement is, and zeros only count as significant based on where they appear. Nonzero digits are always significant. Leading zeros (before the first nonzero digit) do not count as significant because they only place the decimal. Zeros at the end of a decimal number are significant, since they reflect the precision of the measurement; for example, 12.300 has five significant figures. When you multiply or divide, the result should be reported with as many significant figures as the factor with the fewest sig figs. The statement that zeros at the end of a number with a decimal point are never significant is not true, because those zeros can be significant and indicate the measurement’s precision.

Significant figures convey how precise a measurement is, and zeros only count as significant based on where they appear. Nonzero digits are always significant. Leading zeros (before the first nonzero digit) do not count as significant because they only place the decimal. Zeros at the end of a decimal number are significant, since they reflect the precision of the measurement; for example, 12.300 has five significant figures. When you multiply or divide, the result should be reported with as many significant figures as the factor with the fewest sig figs. The statement that zeros at the end of a number with a decimal point are never significant is not true, because those zeros can be significant and indicate the measurement’s precision.