Step by step
The question
Question: round 2750 to 2 significant figures.
1 Find the first significant figure
The first significant figure is the first digit that is not 0.
In 2750, it is 2.
2 Count the figures
We count 2 figures from there: 2, 7.
The 2nd figure, 7, is in the hundreds place.
So we round to the nearest hundred.
3 Look at the next digit
Now we look at the next digit to the right.
It is 5.
5 or more: we round up.
4 or less: we round down.
5 is 5 or more, so we round up.
4 See it on a number line
2750 is exactly halfway.
Halfway rounds up, to 2800.
5 Keep the size
The places after the 2nd figure become 0.
The zeros keep the size: 2800 is close to 2750.
Careful!
28 is much smaller than 2750.
The zeros keep the number the right size.
So 2750 to 2 significant figures is 2800.
6 Check
Let's check.
2800 has 2 significant figures: 2, 8.
And it is the same size as 2750: 4 digits before the point.
So the answer is right!
Let's look back.
First: find the first significant figure.
Then: count the figures.
Then: look at the next digit.
Then: see it on a number line.
Then: keep the size.
Last: check.