Significant figures count from the first nonzero digit. Zeros between significant digits count, and trailing zeros after a decimal point count. Leading zeros locate the decimal point but do not count. Example 0.004087 0.00409 to 3 significant figures. 20.030 has 5 significant figures. To 3 significant figures, 98765 98800. Writing 9.88 x 104 makes those three significant figures explicit; the bare integer 98800 does not by itself state how many final zeros are significant. Significant figures and decimal places are different: 0.00409 has 3 significant figures and 5 decimal places.

Significant figures count from the first nonzero digit. Zeros between significant digits count, and trailing zeros after a decimal point count. Leading zeros locate the decimal point but do not count.

\(0.004087\approx0.00409\) to \(3\) significant figures. \(20.030\) has \(5\) significant figures.

To \(3\) significant figures, \(98765\approx98800\). Writing \(9.88\times10^4\) makes those three significant figures explicit; the bare integer \(98800\) does not by itself state how many final zeros are significant.

Significant figures and decimal places are different: \(0.00409\) has \(3\) significant figures and \(5\) decimal places.