The number of significant figures in 1.73 seconds is _____.

The correct answer is Option 4.

Key Points

• Significant figures are the digits in a number that contribute to its precision, excluding leading zeros and trailing zeros without a decimal point.
• The number "1.73" has three significant figures: "1", "7", and "3".
• The presence of the decimal point ensures that all digits are significant.
• Significant figures are used to express measurements accurately and are critical in scientific calculations.
• In this case, the correct number of significant figures is three, corresponding to Option 4.

Additional Information

• Significant Figures Definition: These are the digits in a number that are meaningful in expressing its precision, beginning with the first non-zero digit.
• Rules for Significant Figures:
  • Non-zero digits are always significant.
  • Zeros between non-zero digits are significant.
  • Leading zeros (zeros before the first non-zero digit) are not significant.
  • Trailing zeros are significant if there is a decimal point.
• Applications: Significant figures are essential in scientific experiments, engineering calculations, and data reporting to ensure consistency and accuracy.
• Precision vs. Accuracy: Precision refers to how closely repeated measurements agree, while accuracy measures how close a value is to the true value.
• Rounding Rules: When rounding to a specific number of significant figures, consider the digit immediately after the last significant figure to decide whether to round up or down.