Answer :
To determine which number has the least number of significant digits, let's analyze each of the given numbers:
1. 98.5
- This number has 3 significant digits: 9, 8, and 5.
2. 0.98
- This number has 2 significant digits: 9 and 8. The leading zero is not significant.
3. 98.05
- This number has 4 significant digits: 9, 8, 0, and 5. The zero is between significant digits, so it counts as significant.
4. 0.9
- This number has 1 significant digit: 9. The leading zero is not significant.
After evaluating each option, we see that the number 0.9 has the fewest significant digits, with just 1 significant digit.
1. 98.5
- This number has 3 significant digits: 9, 8, and 5.
2. 0.98
- This number has 2 significant digits: 9 and 8. The leading zero is not significant.
3. 98.05
- This number has 4 significant digits: 9, 8, 0, and 5. The zero is between significant digits, so it counts as significant.
4. 0.9
- This number has 1 significant digit: 9. The leading zero is not significant.
After evaluating each option, we see that the number 0.9 has the fewest significant digits, with just 1 significant digit.