The measurement 1050 has three significant figures.
Here’s why:
- The digits 1 and 0 are significant because they are non-zero digits.
- The last 0 is significant only if it is considered to be measured and not just a place holder, which is usually determined by the context in which the number is used.
In most contexts, unless specified otherwise (like a decimal point or a line over the last digit), the trailing zero in whole numbers can lead to ambiguity. Hence, for clarity in scientific contexts, if 1050 was presented as, say, 1.050 × 10³, it would clearly indicate four significant figures.