Mark Boyd wrote:
>
> This is a simple math question from my 9 year olds homework.  Could someone
> with a mathematics background explain the reasoning behind the alleged
> correct answer for me? Because I just don't get it.
>
> The question:
>         What is the last digit in the number 346?
>
> She answered 6 and so did I.  The correct answer is apparently 3.  Why?
> I've already written a note to the teacher requesting an explanation, but I
> was hoping someone in the group could come up with something better than
> "Because the book says so".
>

Yet another math book, this one actually about decimals and signifcance
and such.
http://www.electronictech.com/resources/sampchaps/0766827038/KR-02.PDF
> Significant Digits
> 1. All nonzero digits 1 to 9 are significant.
> 2. Zeros are significant when they are not the first digits in a decimal number or not
> the last digits in a whole number (unless marked).

Gee whiz, so far every Google hit I've read has this usage and not
the "correct" one.

Richard
--
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