Which statement correctly describes significant figure rules?

The statement regarding significant figures that is most accurate is that a final zero in a decimal portion is significant. This is because when a number includes a decimal point followed by one or more zeros, those zeros are considered to contribute to the precision of the measurement. For example, in the number 2.300, the trailing zeros indicate that the measurement is precise to the thousandths place, and thus they capture significant information about the accuracy of the number.

In contrast, leading zeros, such as those that appear before the first non-zero digit in a number, do not contribute to the significant figure count because they have no value in determining the size of the number. Similarly, in whole numbers without a decimal point, trailing zeros do not count as significant unless specified by a decimal (e.g., 1500 could have two, three, or four significant figures depending on additional context). All digits in a whole number are not considered irrelevant, as non-zero integers certainly carry significance. Understanding these nuances is crucial for precise scientific reporting and calculations.