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
Multiplying and dividing with significant figures worksheets
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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Calculate without intermediate rounding. Round the final answer to the fewest significant digits shown in any operand, using the stated halfway rule.
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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
Use the operand with the fewest significant digits to determine the precision of a product or quotient.
Worked example
Calculate 2.40 × 3.0 with the correct precision.
7.2.
The exact product is 7.200. The factor 3.0 has two significant digits, so the final product must have two as well.
Teaching notes
Make the practice count
- Count each operand before calculating.
- Keep the written zeroes: 2.0 carries more precision than 2.
- For a repeating quotient, retain enough information to round the final result accurately.
- Use scientific notation when a whole-number answer would hide significant trailing zeroes.
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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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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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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