How many The number of significant figures ing 540000?
Two. Think of it like this: if you want to compare the population of different cities, you’d want to have the numbers expressed quite roughly, to two or three significant figures. Everybody realises that these numbers would not be an accurate total of all the people there. Any number of people below 544444 would give 540000 when given to two sig figs. More than that would become 550000. If you require more accuracy from your numbers eg if you had to ensure a liferaft space for every person on board a ship, then you need to use more significant figures in your numbers.