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Quizzes > Science

Sig fig practice: Significant Figures & Scientific Notation Quiz

Quick, free sig fig quiz with instant results and helpful feedback.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Los Risitas CityUpdated Aug 27, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Colorful paper art numbers and scientific symbols on dark blue background promoting significant figures practice quiz

This quiz helps you practice significant figures and scientific notation with quick, auto-scored questions and instant feedback. Review rounding rules for zeros and decimals, then deepen your skills with significant figures practice, sharpen operations in multiplying and dividing sig figs, and build confidence with scientific notation practice.

How many significant figures are in the measurement 0.00450?
2
3
4
5
Leading zeros are not significant. Only the digits 4, 5, and the trailing zero count as significant figures, giving three significant figures.
What is the number of significant figures in 3.060?
2
5
3
4
All non-zero digits and any zeros between or after them in a decimal count. Here digits 3, 0, 6, and trailing 0 are all significant, for a total of four.
Convert 1.2 × 10^4 into standard decimal notation.
0.00012
12000
1.2000
1200
Multiplying 1.2 by 10^4 moves the decimal four places to the right, yielding 12000.
Round the number 6.742 to three significant figures.
6.7
6.742
6.743
6.74
To three significant figures, you keep 6.742's first three digits (6, 7, 4) and look at the next digit (2). Since it's less than 5, you do not round up, giving 6.74.
How many significant figures are in 0.0700?
1
4
3
2
Leading zeros are not significant, but the zeros after the 7 in a decimal are. Thus, 7, 0, and 0 count, giving three significant figures.
What is the product of 2.35 (3 sf) and 3.1 (2 sf), rounded to the correct number of significant figures?
7.3
7.285
7.28
7.30
When multiplying, the result should have as many significant figures as the factor with the fewest. Here 3.1 has two sf, so 2.35×3.1=7.285 rounds to two sf: 7.3.
Divide 6.42 by 1.301 and report the answer with the correct number of significant figures.
4.938
4.9
4.942
4.94
Division follows the same sig fig rule as multiplication. The divisor has four sf and the dividend three, so the result is rounded to three sf: 4.94.
What is the sum of 12.11, 0.3, and 0.02, rounded correctly according to significant figure rules?
12.43
12.42
12.430
12.4
In addition, the result is limited by the least precise decimal place. 0.3 has one decimal place, so the sum 12.11+0.3+0.02=12.43 is rounded to one decimal: 12.4.
Express 0.00056 in scientific notation.
56 × 10^-5
5.6 × 10^-5
5.6 × 10^-4
0.56 × 10^-3
To convert, move the decimal four places right to get 5.6, and multiply by 10^-4.
Convert 7.89 × 10^-3 into standard decimal form.
0.00789
0.0789
7.89
0.000789
Moving the decimal three places to the left gives 0.00789.
Perform (1.234 + 2.3) ÷ 0.012 and give the result with correct significant figures.
294
2.9 × 10^2
291.7
3.53 × 10^2
First add: 1.234+2.3=3.534, limited to one decimal (2.3 has one) giving 3.5. Then divide by 0.012 (two sf) yields 291.7, rounded to two sf to match 0.012: 2.9×10^2.
How many significant figures are in the number 1.0020?
4
6
5
3
All non-zero digits, zeros between them, and trailing zeros after a decimal point count. Digits 1, 0, 0, 2, and trailing 0 all count, giving five.
Calculate the sum 0.330 + 1.3 + 0.02 and report with the correct precision.
1.7
1.65
1.68
1.650
The least precise measurement (1.3) has one decimal place, so the sum 1.650 is rounded to one decimal place: 1.7.
How many significant figures are in 0.0003400?
3
5
2
4
Leading zeros are not significant. The digits 3, 4, 0, and trailing 0 count, giving four significant figures.
Express 0.0765 in scientific notation and state its significant figures.
7.65 × 10^-2, three sig figs
0.765 × 10^-1, four sig figs
7.65 × 10^-3, three sig figs
76.5 × 10^-3, two sig figs
Moving the decimal two places right gives 7.65×10^-2. All three digits are significant, so three sig figs.
What is the correctly rounded product of 0.0230 (three sf) and 0.30 (two sf)?
0.007
0.00690
0.006
0.0069
Product is 0.0230×0.30=0.0069. The factor with fewest sig figs (0.30) has two, so result has two sig figs: 0.0069.
Calculate (7.15 - 2.3) × (3.006 / 1.402) and report the answer with correct significant figures.
11.0
11
10.50
10.5
Subtract: 7.15-2.3=4.85 limited to 1 decimal ? 4.9. Divide: 3.006/1.402=2.144 (four sf). Multiply 4.9×2.144=10.5056, rounded to two sf (least in multiplication) gives 11.
Perform 5.00 × 10^3 ? 2.33 × 10^2 and express the result in scientific notation with correct significant figures.
4.8 × 10^3
4.77 × 10^3
4.77 × 10^2
4.767 × 10^3
Convert 2.33×10^2 to 0.233×10^3, subtract from 5.00 yielding 4.767×10^3. The least precise term (5.00 has two decimal places) limits result to two decimal places ? 4.77×10^3.
0
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Study Outcomes

  1. Identify Significant Figures -

    Recognize and count the correct number of significant figures in various measurements and scientific notation expressions.

  2. Convert Between Notation Forms -

    Convert numbers from standard form to scientific notation and back, ensuring you preserve the proper significant digits.

  3. Multiply and Divide Accurately -

    Apply significant figures practice rules when multiplying and dividing values to maintain correct precision in results.

  4. Analyze Precision Requirements -

    Examine problems involving scientific notation and significant digits to determine how many figures are warranted in calculations.

  5. Solve Sig Fig Practice Problems -

    Tackle worksheet-style significant figures practice questions that strengthen your skills and boost your confidence.

  6. Evaluate and Report Results -

    Assess calculated values and report your answers using the correct number of significant figures for clear scientific communication.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Counting Significant Figures -

    Begin your significant figures practice by identifying all nonzero digits as significant and remembering that zeros between nonzero digits count (e.g., 105.03 has five sig figs). Leading zeros never count, while trailing zeros only count if there's a decimal point (0.00530 has three sig figs). Use the "Pacific-Atlantic" mnemonic (zeros after the decimal and right of a nonzero count; before decimal and left of nonzero don't).

  2. Converting to Scientific Notation -

    Master scientific figures and scientific notation by expressing numbers as a×10^n, where 1≤a<10 and n is an integer (e.g., 0.0042 = 4.2×10^ - 3). Ensure only significant digits appear in the coefficient (4.20×10^ - 3 for three sig figs). This technique simplifies handling very large or tiny values in chemistry and physics.

  3. Multiplication & Division Rules -

    In sig fig practice problems involving × or ÷, your answer must match the fewest sig figs in any factor. For instance, 3.42×1.1 = 3.8 (two sig figs). Always perform the calculation, then round to the correct number of significant digits.

  4. Addition & Subtraction Guidelines -

    When adding or subtracting, align decimal points and round the final answer to the least precise decimal place among your values (e.g., 12.11+0.3 = 12.4, rounded to the tenths place). This rule differs from multiplication and division, so keep both sets of rules at hand during your scientific notation and significant digits practice.

  5. Rounding Techniques & Worksheets -

    For your scientific figures practice worksheet, apply "round half up" for digits >5 and "round half to even" when exactly at 5 if your course specifies it. For example, rounding 2.345 to two sig figs yields 2.3 (half to even) or 2.35 (half up) depending on style. Regularly drill these by creating custom sig fig practice flashcards or mini-quizzes.

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