Read the temperature with the correct number of significant figures.
A) 87°C
B) 87.2°C
C) 87.20°C
D) 87.200°C
E) 87.2000°C

Question

Read the temperature with the correct number of significant figures. 
A) 87°C 
B) 87.2°C 
C) 87.20°C 
D) 87.200°C 
E) 87.2000°C

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The given temperature has five digits, and the last zero after 87.2 indicates that it is measured to the hundredths place, making it the most accurate measurement possible. Thus, the best choice is C, which includes an extra zero after 87.2 to show that the measurement is accurate to the hundredths place. The other choices either round the number incorrectly or include more significant figures than necessary.

Read the Temperature with the Correct Number of Significant Figures