1. How many significant figures are in 0.00450?
3 significant figures
Leading zeros do not count; 4, 5, and the final decimal zero count.
Printable practice
Significant Figures Worksheet with Answers
Use this worksheet for quick review before homework, quizzes, or chemistry and physics lab reports. The answer key is included below each problem so students can check the rule, not just the final value.
Worksheet problems
Work through the questions first, then compare your answer with the explanation. The set mixes counting, rounding, scientific notation, and arithmetic rules.
2. How many significant figures are in 100?
Ambiguous
Whole-number trailing zeros without a decimal point may or may not be significant.
3. How many significant figures are in 100.?
3 significant figures
The decimal point makes the trailing zeros significant.
4. Round 12.57 to 3 significant figures.
12.6
Keep 1, 2, and 5; the next digit is 7, so round up.
5. Round 0.00450 to 2 significant figures.
0.0045
Keep the first two significant digits, 4 and 5.
6. Write 0.00450 in scientific notation.
4.50 x 10^-3
The coefficient 4.50 keeps the three significant figures visible.
7. Calculate 12.5 + 0.003 using significant figure rules.
12.5
Addition and subtraction round to the least precise decimal place: tenths.
8. Calculate 2.50 x 3.1 using significant figure rules.
7.8
Multiplication and division round to the fewest significant figures: 2.
9. How many significant figures are in 3.76e4?
3 significant figures
The coefficient 3.76 determines the count; the exponent does not add sig figs.
10. Should you round intermediate steps in a lab calculation?
Usually no
Keep extra digits during intermediate work, then round the final reported answer.
Rules to remember
Non-zero digits are significant.
Leading zeros are not significant.
Zeros between non-zero digits are significant.
Trailing zeros after a decimal point are significant.
Whole-number trailing zeros without a decimal point are ambiguous.
Addition and subtraction use decimal places.
Multiplication and division use the fewest significant figures.
When to use this worksheet
A fixed worksheet is useful when everyone should answer the same questions. It is different from the practice generator, which is better for repeated drills and fresh examples.
Homework review
Use the fixed problem set to check whether students can identify the rule without a changing prompt.
Quiz preparation
The worksheet mixes zeros, rounding, scientific notation, and arithmetic rules so review is not too narrow.
Lab report checkpoint
Use the answer explanations to practice writing the reason behind a rounded measurement.
How to use this worksheet
For students
Try each problem without looking at the answer, then use the explanation to find the rule you missed.
For teachers
Print the page or copy selected problems into a short warm-up, review sheet, or lab report checkpoint.
For lab reports
Pay special attention to ambiguous zeros and operation-specific rounding rules before reporting final measured values.
Significant figures worksheet FAQ
Does this significant figures worksheet include answers?
Yes. Each worksheet problem includes the answer and a short explanation of the significant-figures rule used.
Can I print this worksheet?
Yes. The page is designed as a simple printable worksheet for students, teachers, and lab report review.
What topics does the worksheet cover?
It covers counting significant figures, ambiguous zeros, rounding, scientific notation, addition and subtraction, and multiplication and division.
When should I use the worksheet instead of the generator?
Use the worksheet when you want a fixed set of questions. Use the generator when you want a fresh practice set.