What is the only reliable way to report the correct significant digits in a measurement that contains trailing zeros?

The only reliable way to report the correct significant digits in a measurement with trailing zeros is to use scientific notation. This format clearly indicates the number of significant figures by expressing the measurement as a product of a number between 1 and 10 and a power of ten. For example, 1500 can be represented as 1.5 x 10^3 (two significant figures) or 1.500 x 10^3 (four significant figures), eliminating ambiguity about the significance of the trailing zeros.