The number of significant figures in the numbers `4.8000xx10^(4)` and `48000.50` are respectively

Options

A. 5 and 6
B. 5 and 7
C. 2 and 7
D. 2 and 6

Answer

B

Explanation

All the non-zero digits are significant. The trailing zero(s) in a number with decimal point are significant. Power of 10 is irrelevant for the determination of significant figures. Hence, `4.8000 xx 10^(4)` has 5 significant figures.
All the non-zero digits are significant. All the zeros between two non-zero digits are significant, no matter where the decimal point is. The trailing zero(s) in a number with decimal point are significant. Hence, 48000.50 has 7 significant figures.