The respective number of signficant figures for the numbers `23.023, 0.0003 and 2.1 xx 10^(-3)` are

Options

A. 5,1,2
B. 5,1,5
C. 5,5,2
D. 4,4,2

Answer

To determine the respective number of significant figures for the numbers \( 23.023 \), \( 0.0003 \), and \( 2.1 \times 10^{-3} \), we will follow the rules of significant figures step by step.

### Step 1: Analyze the number \( 23.023 \)

1. **Identify significant figures**:
- All non-zero digits are significant.
- Any zeros between non-zero digits are also significant.

For \( 23.023 \):
- The digits are \( 2, 3, 0, 2, 3 \).
- All digits are significant.
- Therefore, the total number of significant figures is **5**.

### Step 2: Analyze the number \( 0.0003 \)

1. **Identify significant figures**:
- Leading zeros (zeros to the left of the first non-zero digit) are not significant.
- Only the non-zero digits are counted.

For \( 0.0003 \):
- The only non-zero digit is \( 3 \).
- Therefore, the total number of significant figures is **1**.

### Step 3: Analyze the number \( 2.1 \times 10^{-3} \)

1. **Identify significant figures**:
- In scientific notation, all digits in the coefficient (the part before the multiplication by \( 10 \)) are significant.

For \( 2.1 \):
- The digits are \( 2 \) and \( 1 \).
- Both are non-zero and thus significant.
- Therefore, the total number of significant figures is **2**.

### Conclusion

The respective number of significant figures for the numbers \( 23.023 \), \( 0.0003 \), and \( 2.1 \times 10^{-3} \) are:
- \( 23.023 \): 5 significant figures
- \( 0.0003 \): 1 significant figure
- \( 2.1 \times 10^{-3} \): 2 significant figures

Thus, the final answer is **5, 1, 2**.

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