The number of significant figures in 0.03600 is

Options

A. 2
B. 3
C. 4
D. 5

Answer

To determine the number of significant figures in the number 0.03600, we will follow the rules of significant figures step by step.

### Step 1: Identify the non-zero digits
The first step is to identify the non-zero digits in the number. In 0.03600, the non-zero digits are 3 and 6.

### Step 2: Analyze the leading zeros
Next, we look at the leading zeros. The zeros before the first non-zero digit (which is 3 in this case) are not significant. Therefore, the zeros in 0.03600 before the 3 are not counted as significant figures.

### Step 3: Analyze the trailing zeros
Now, we examine the zeros that come after the last non-zero digit. According to the rules of significant figures, if there is a decimal point in the number, the zeros to the right of the last non-zero digit are significant. In 0.03600, the two zeros after the 6 are significant because they come after a decimal point and after a non-zero digit.

### Step 4: Count the significant figures
Now we can count the significant figures:
- The non-zero digits: 3 and 6 (2 significant figures)
- The trailing zeros: 00 (2 significant figures)

Adding these together, we have 2 (from 3 and 6) + 2 (from the two trailing zeros) = 4 significant figures.

### Conclusion
Thus, the total number of significant figures in 0.03600 is **4**.

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