MathIsimple

Significant Figures Worksheets

36 free printable problems — counting, rounding, and operation rules — with a toggleable answer key.

Tip: print once with answers hidden for students, once shown for the key.

Set 1 — How Many Significant Figures?

Apply the five counting rules; watch the trailing- and leading-zero traps.

  1. 1.4.56 =  
  2. 2.0.00340 =  
  3. 3.1,205 =  
  4. 4.5,300 =  
  5. 5.5,300. =  
  6. 6.0.0007 =  
  7. 7.8.100 =  
  8. 8.3.20 × 10⁴ =  
  9. 9.100.05 =  
  10. 10.0.10050 =  
  11. 11.20.00 =  
  12. 12.907.0 =  

Set 2 — Round to 3 Significant Figures

Round each value to exactly 3 sig figs; use scientific notation where needed.

  1. 1.3.14159 =  
  2. 2.0.0072849 =  
  3. 3.128,514 =  
  4. 4.6.9975 =  
  5. 5.0.089951 =  
  6. 6.45,049 =  
  7. 7.2.7182818 =  
  8. 8.0.00012345 =  
  9. 9.999.9 =  
  10. 10.31.755 =  
  11. 11.0.30049 =  
  12. 12.84,562 =  

Set 3 — Operations with Correct Rounding

Addition/subtraction rounds by decimal places; multiplication/division by sig figs.

  1. 1.12.52 + 1.7 =  
  2. 2.4.56 × 1.4 =  
  3. 3.100.0 − 0.25 =  
  4. 4.8.10 × 2.0 =  
  5. 5.3.95 + 2.879 =  
  6. 6.9.00 ÷ 4.5 =  
  7. 7.0.0450 × 200. =  
  8. 8.15.5 + 0.005 =  
  9. 9.6.022 × 2.00 =  
  10. 10.50.0 ÷ 8.0 =  
  11. 11.2.50 + 1.125 =  
  12. 12.7.899 ÷ 2.3 =  

Teaching Notes: Sequencing the Three Sets

Counting must be automatic before rounding makes sense, and rounding before the operation rules — each set assumes the previous one. The deliberate traps: Set 1 pairs 5,300 and 5,300. adjacent to force the decimal-point discussion; Set 2 includes 999.9 → 1.00 × 10³ (rounding across a place-value boundary) and 6.9975 → 7.00 (keeping trailing zeros after rounding); Set 3 alternates the two operation rules so students must choose, not pattern-match. Students can self-check with the sig fig calculator, review the rules page, or drill interactively on the practice page.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do these sig fig worksheets cover?
Set 1: counting significant figures across all five rules (12 problems). Set 2: rounding values to 3 sig figs (12 problems). Set 3: addition/subtraction and multiplication/division with correct final rounding (12 problems) — the full sequence of a standard chemistry unit.
Are answer keys included?
Yes — the Show Answer Key button reveals every answer inline, and the printed version respects the toggle, so one click switches between the student sheet and the teacher key.
Which problems trip students up most?
The counting set deliberately pairs 5,300 (2 sig figs) with 5,300. (4 sig figs), and the operations set mixes the two rounding rules back-to-back — the errors these produce are the exact ones that appear on unit tests.
Can I use these for chemistry and physics classes?
Yes — sig fig conventions are identical across chemistry and physics. Set 3's operation problems use measurement-style values (masses, volumes) so they read naturally in either course.
Where can students check their work?
Our significant figures calculator rounds any value or expression and names the limiting input; the sig fig rules page explains each rule; and the interactive practice page gives instant per-problem feedback for self-study.
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