Significant figures
Identify significant digits worksheets
Count significant digits in whole numbers, decimals and scientific notation. Select any combination, generate 20 questions and print a separate answer key.
Preview and downloadSignificant figures practice
Adding and subtracting with significant figures worksheets
Practice two-number sums, three-number sums and subtraction with 20 questions. Round by decimal place, choose a halfway rule and print precision-preserving answers.
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Start with a ready-made worksheet
Calculate first. Round the final result to the least precise decimal place in the question. Keep the zeroes needed to show that place.
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Choose an explicit halfway rule
The default is ties to even: an exact halfway result keeps or changes the last digit so that it is even. You can also choose ties away from zero, often taught as the school rounding rule. The selected convention appears on the worksheet.
For example, 2.85 rounded to two significant digits is 2.8 with ties to even and 2.9 with ties away from zero. Values above or below the exact midpoint follow ordinary nearest rounding in both modes.
The key retains meaningful zeroes and uses scientific notation when plain whole numbers would hide the requested precision.
The preview and PDF use the same questions. Include answers to append a separate key, or download only the student pages.
Learning objective
What this activity builds
Calculate a sum or difference exactly, then round once to the least precise decimal place among the operands.
Worked example
Calculate 12.47 + 3.2 with the correct precision.
15.7.
The exact sum is 15.67. The operand 3.2 is reported only to the tenths place, so the final answer is also rounded to tenths.
Teaching notes
Make the practice count
- Align decimal marks before adding or subtracting.
- Mark the least precise place before the calculation.
- Retain every intermediate digit until the final rounding step.
- Read the printed halfway rule when the discarded part is exactly half a step.
Make it yours
Customize the practice
Choose your options, update the preview, then download the exact same pages.
Choose the problem kinds and rounding rule. Every worksheet contains 20 balanced, reproducible tasks.
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A useful next step
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Generate 20 two-factor, three-factor or division problems. Round to the fewest significant digits, preserve meaningful zeroes and download the worksheet with answers.
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Significant figures rules handout
Print an original significant figures reference with zero rules, scientific notation, calculation rules and rounding examples. Choose Letter or A4 and a printed language.
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