To determine the number of significant digits in the number [tex]\(2.1 \times 10^2\)[/tex], we follow these steps:
1. Identify the base part of the number: In scientific notation, such as [tex]\(2.1 \times 10^2\)[/tex], the base part is [tex]\(2.1\)[/tex].
2. Count the significant digits in the base: The number [tex]\(2.1\)[/tex] has two digits: '2' and '1'.
3. Ignore the power of ten: The exponent [tex]\(10^2\)[/tex] simply shifts the decimal place and does not affect the count of significant digits.
Therefore, the number [tex]\(2.1 \times 10^2\)[/tex] has 2 significant digits.
