Exactly what does the decimal point in the following number mean?

Question

Exactly what does the decimal point in the following number mean?

$$2. \cdot 10^{11}$$

It's not followed by any digits. Has it something to do with significant figures? My guess is it has exactly one significat figure i.e $2$. The dot means the number ends at $2$?

Answer 1

You are correct, the indication is that there is 1 significant figure in the specified number.

Answer 2

Certain softwares use this notation to show that the answer isn't exact, so 2. means that it is very close to 2, but is not 2 exactly.