Question

Significant figures of 4200?

Answer 1

well i could be 2,3,4,

Answer 2

it*

Answer 3

but if that is the whole question and there is no other context i would say two

Answer 4

yes @UnkleRhaukus i am also confused of that which value should be use

Answer 5

if it was 4200. i would say 4

Answer 6

See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Significant_figures
the significant figures are 4 and 2

Answer 7

2, 3 or 4

Answer 8

is this question
how may significant figures does 4200 have or what are the significant figures of 4200?

Answer 9

how many*

Answer 10

how may significant figures does 4200kg have?

Answer 11

4

Answer 12

2

Answer 13

4200 has 2 significant figures : 4 and 2

Answer 14

so the answer is correct for both 2 , 3 and 4

Answer 15

which one is the most appropriate

Answer 16

where did you find that measurement

Answer 17

@UnkleRhaukus i want the the most appropriate

Answer 18

it depends on where the number came from

Answer 19

the question is 4200 kg

Answer 20

@UnkleRhaukus @siddhantsharan @phi @apoorvk plzz help

Answer 21

@FoolForMath plzzz help

Answer 22

if the final answer is exactly 4200, then '4' digits.

Answer 23

then for 500

Answer 24

3

Answer 25

@apoorvk there is rule that trailing zeros are not counted

Answer 26

zeroes after a non-zero digit, but before the decimal point are always significant. because the no. could have been rounded off to 4200 from, say, 4202 or 4203, but if it says 4200, it means, all 4 are significant.

Answer 27

trailing zeroes are not counted? I am so confused, I would really suggest you to not follow me then, lest I unknowingly misguide you :(

Answer 28

can u suggest some one who is specialist in doing this!

Answer 29

is this a maths question or a physics question

Answer 30

i think it is Physics

Answer 31

Physics and Maths are linked

Answer 32

which book is the question coming from

Answer 33

it is my general question

Answer 34

the most appropriate answer is that there is a ambiguous number of significant figures

Answer 35

that is while cahnging units!

Answer 36

sorry changing

Answer 37

Well if you are changing units, then ofcourse the whole funda changes.

Answer 38

4200kg = 420000g 2 = 2

Answer 39

so i think it should be 2 @apoorvk

Answer 40

There are different conventions for this and nothing is universal, so it's basically context dependent.

Answer 41

Well, if the answer was something like 4.2 tonnes or mega grams, and then you converted that into kilos, then yeah '2' would be it.

Answer 42

I think it's 2..
http://www.purplemath.com/modules/rounding2.htm

Answer 43

Like they said. It depends on the context.