When the number 0.046508 is reduced to 4 significant figures, then it becomes

Options

A. `0.0465`
B. `4650.8xx10^(-5)`
C. `4.651xx10^(-2)`
D. `4.650xx10^(-2)`

Answer

To reduce the number 0.046508 to four significant figures, we can follow these steps:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Identify the Significant Figures**:
The number given is 0.046508. In this number, the leading zeros (0.0) are not significant. The significant figures start from the first non-zero digit. Thus, the significant figures in 0.046508 are 4, 6, 5, 0, and 8.

2. **Count the Significant Figures**:
We have a total of 5 significant figures: 4, 6, 5, 0, and 8.

3. **Determine the Required Significant Figures**:
We need to round this number to 4 significant figures. The first four significant figures in 0.046508 are 4, 6, 5, and 0.

4. **Round the Number**:
The next digit after the fourth significant figure (which is 0) is 8. Since 8 is greater than 5, we round the last significant figure (0) up by 1. Thus, 0 becomes 1.

5. **Write the Rounded Number**:
After rounding, the number becomes 0.04651.

6. **Express in Scientific Notation**:
To express this in scientific notation, we can write it as 4.651 × 10^(-2).

7. **Final Answer**:
Therefore, when the number 0.046508 is reduced to four significant figures, it becomes 0.04651 or 4.651 × 10^(-2).

### Final Answer:
0.04651 (or 4.651 × 10^(-2))

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