Physics

The key here is understanding that significant figures measure precision, not just the number of digits. When you round $8.376\times10^{3}$ to three significant figures, you're keeping only the first three meaningful digits and rounding based on the fourth. The exponent stays the same—it doesn't count toward significant figures. Once you've rewritten it, counting the digits in the coefficient tells you exactly how many significant figures you have.

The key here is understanding that significant figures measure precision, not just the number of digits. When you round $8.376\times10^{3}$ to three significant figures, you're keeping only the first three meaningful digits and rounding based on the fourth. The exponent stays the same—it doesn't count toward significant figures. Once you've rewritten it, counting the digits in the coefficient tells you exactly how many significant figures you have.