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Quizzes > Science

Sig Figs Practice: Master Significant Figures in Minutes

Quick, free significant figures test. Instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Sherina KristabelUpdated Aug 26, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration for significant figures quiz on sky blue background

This quiz helps you practice significant figures: counting digits, rounding, and using them in calculations with the right precision and clear feedback. If you want to build related skills, try accuracy and precision practice problems, math calculation practice, and micrometer reading practice for hands-on measurement and computation practice.

How many significant figures are in 3.40?
4
3
1
2
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How many significant figures are in 0.004500?
3
4
2
5
undefined
All nonzero digits are significant.
False
True
undefined
Trailing zeros in a whole number without a decimal point are always significant.
True
False
undefined
How many significant figures are in 200.0?
3
4
2
1
undefined
How many significant figures are in 0.03040?
2
3
5
4
undefined
In 507.0, the zero between 5 and 7 is significant.
True
False
undefined
Multiply 2.34 x 1.2 and report with correct significant figures.
2.81
3.0
2.808
2.8
undefined
Add 12.11 + 0.3 + 0.025 and round the final result to 2 decimal places (2 d.p.). Select the option that shows both the correctly rounded value and the matching decimal-place annotation.
12.44 (2 d.p.)
12.44
12.44 (1 d.p.)
12.5
undefined
For addition and subtraction, the limiting factor is the number of decimal places.
True
False
undefined
In 2.300 x 10^-4, all zeros shown are significant.
True
False
undefined
Round 15,650 to 3 significant figures using round half to even (bankers rounding), assuming no decimal point is written.
15,650
15,700
15,700.
15,600
undefined
Compute (3.456 x 2.1) with correct significant figures.
7.26 (3 s.f.)
7.26
7.2576
7.3
undefined
In a product-then-sum calculation, you should postpone rounding until the final step while tracking limiting sig figs at each operation.
True
False
undefined
Count the significant figures in 0.040050.
3
6
4
5
undefined
pH = -log10[H+]; if [H+] = 3.2 x 10^-5, report pH with the correct number of decimal places, and select the option that explicitly indicates the decimal-place count.
4.5
4.49 (2 d.p.)
4.49
4.4949
undefined
A trailing zero in 2500 is significant because the number is large.
False
True
undefined
Report the area with correct sig figs: 12.0 cm x 3.456 cm. Select the option that includes both the correct value and a sig-fig annotation.
41.472 cm^2
41.5 cm2
41.5 cm^2 (3 s.f.)
41.5 cm^2
undefined
How many significant figures are in 0.000010?
5
2
6
1
undefined
When using scientific notation, only digits in the coefficient count toward significant figures.
False
True
undefined
0

Study Outcomes

  1. Identify Significant Figures -

    Recognize which digits in a given number count as significant figures by applying standard sig fig rules.

  2. Apply Zero-Handling Rules -

    Distinguish between leading, trailing, and captive zeros to correctly determine their impact on numerical precision.

  3. Implement Rounding Techniques -

    Round measurements and calculations to a specified number of significant figures for accurate result reporting.

  4. Analyze Practice Problems -

    Solve a variety of significant figures quiz scenarios, reinforcing core concepts through hands-on sig figs exercises.

  5. Evaluate Calculation Precision -

    Assess the accuracy of your results and identify common pitfalls in significant figures practice problems.

  6. Boost Numerical Accuracy -

    Enhance your confidence in measurements and calculations by mastering strategies from the significant figures quiz.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Counting Significant Figures -

    All non-zero digits count, while zeros do so only under certain conditions. For example, 0.00520 has three sig figs because leading zeros don't count but the trailing zero after the decimal does (NIST). Master this rule to ace the first section of your significant figures quiz.

  2. Multiplication & Division Rules -

    The result of a multiplication or division should carry the same number of sig figs as the measurement with the fewest sig figs. For instance, 3.456 × 2.1 = 7.3 (two sig figs) per Purdue University guidelines. Practice this in your sig fig quiz to avoid common rounding errors.

  3. Addition & Subtraction Rules -

    Align decimal places, then round the final answer to the least precise decimal place. For example, 12.11 + 0.3 = 12.4 (one decimal place) as taught by Purdue's chemistry department. This rule often trips students up in significant figures practice problems, so give it extra attention.

  4. Using Scientific Notation for Clarity -

    Express ambiguous numbers in scientific notation to specify sig figs clearly. Writing 1500 as 1.500 × 10^3 indicates four sig figs, avoiding guesswork (IUPAC). This trick is a game-changer on any significant numbers quiz.

  5. Rounding Conventions & Mnemonics -

    Use "five or more, raise the score; four or less, let it rest" to remember rounding rules. So, 2.345 rounded to three sig figs becomes 2.35 (American Chemical Society). This fun mnemonic ensures accuracy in every sig figs quiz question.

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