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Quizzes > High School Quizzes > Science

Significant Figures Practice Quiz

Boost your understanding with tests and digit drills

Difficulty: Moderate
Grade: Grade 9
Study OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustrating a trivia quiz on significant figures for high school science students.

How many significant figures are in 0.030?
1
2
3
0
Leading zeros are not significant while the trailing zero after the decimal point is significant. Therefore, 0.030 has 2 significant figures.
How many significant figures are in 0.00510?
2
3
4
1
In 0.00510, the leading zeros are not counted, and the digits 5, 1, and the trailing zero are significant. This gives a total of 3 significant figures.
How many significant figures are in 12.340?
4
5
6
3
All nonzero digits are significant and the trailing zero after the decimal is also significant. Therefore, 12.340 has 5 significant figures.
How many significant figures are in 0.0070?
1
2
3
0
The leading zeros are not counted, while the digit 7 and the trailing zero (which is significant due to the decimal) are counted. This results in 2 significant figures.
When performing multiplication, how should you determine the number of significant figures in the final result?
By rounding to match the number of significant figures in the factor with the fewest significant figures.
By rounding to match the number of significant figures in the factor with the most significant figures.
By using the average number of significant figures from all factors.
By keeping all digits provided in each factor.
When multiplying, the result must be rounded to the same number of significant figures as the factor with the fewest significant figures. This rule preserves the precision of the measurements involved.
How many significant figures are in the number 1500 when it is written without a decimal point?
2
3
4
1
Without a decimal point, the trailing zeros in 1500 are not considered significant. Thus, 1500 is interpreted as having only 2 significant figures.
How many decimal places should the result have when adding 12.11, 0.3, and 3.456?
1
2
3
0
For addition, the final result is rounded to the same number of decimal places as the term with the fewest decimal places. Because 0.3 has only 1 decimal place, the result should be rounded to 1 decimal place.
Which rule is applied when rounding the result of a multiplication operation?
Round to the number of significant figures in the factor with the most significant figures.
Round to the number of significant figures in the factor with the fewest significant figures.
Round to the highest order digit of the factors.
Round based on the average significant figures of the factors.
Multiplication requires that the final result is rounded to match the measurement with the fewest significant figures. This guarantees that the precision of the least accurate measurement is not overstated.
When subtracting 100.5 - 99.85, what determines the required rounding of the result?
The factor with the fewest significant figures.
The term with the fewest decimal places.
The term with the most decimal places.
The difference in the overall magnitude of the terms.
Subtraction requires the result to be rounded to the smallest number of decimal places present in the terms. In this case, 100.5 has only one decimal place, so the answer should be rounded accordingly.
When converting 0.00047 to scientific notation, how many significant figures does it have?
1
2
3
4
In the number 0.00047, the leading zeros are not significant. Only the digits 4 and 7 are counted, so there are 2 significant figures.
If a measurement is recorded as 0.120, what does the trailing zero indicate?
It indicates a measured value and is significant.
It is just a placeholder and not significant.
It represents an estimated value.
It signifies a calculation error.
In decimal numbers, trailing zeros are significant because they reflect the precision of the measurement. Therefore, the trailing zero in 0.120 indicates that the measurement is precise to the thousandths place.
In the multiplication 3.2 x 4.56, what is the correct number of significant figures in the product?
2
3
4
5
The factor 3.2 has 2 significant figures while 4.56 has 3. According to the multiplication rule, the final result should have the same number of significant figures as the least precise measurement, which is 2 in this case.
What is the correctly rounded form of 0.6789 to 3 significant figures?
0.679
0.678
0.680
0.677
When rounding 0.6789 to 3 significant figures, examine the fourth digit. Since the digit '9' is 5 or greater, it rounds the third digit up, leading to 0.679.
How should you express the number 4500 with 3 significant figures in scientific notation?
4.5 x 10^3
4.50 x 10^3
4.500 x 10^3
45.0 x 10^2
Expressing 4500 with 3 significant figures requires that all three figures are clearly shown. Writing it as 4.50 x 10^3 correctly indicates three significant figures.
Which arithmetic operation applies the rule of rounding based on decimal places rather than significant figures?
Multiplication
Division
Addition
Exponentiation
Addition (and subtraction) require that the result be rounded to the same number of decimal places as the term with the fewest decimals. Multiplication and division, on the other hand, use significant figures for rounding.
A scientist measures a length as 123.4 m and a width as 0.56 m. What is the appropriate number of significant figures in the calculated area?
2
3
4
5
When multiplying measurements, the final result must have as many significant figures as the measurement with the fewest significant figures. Since 0.56 has 2 significant figures, the area should be reported with 2 significant figures.
When subtracting 15.60 from 20.5, what is the correct process for rounding the result?
Round to 1 decimal place.
Round to 2 decimal places.
Round to the nearest whole number.
Do not round the result.
In subtraction, the result is rounded based on the term with the fewest decimal places. Here, 20.5 has only 1 decimal place, so the final answer must be rounded to 1 decimal place.
A laboratory report records the value 0.00450 g. What does the trailing zero signify?
It is not significant and only a placeholder.
It indicates increased precision and is significant.
It shows an estimation error.
It is an accidental typing error.
The trailing zero in a decimal number like 0.00450 is significant because it reflects the precision of the measurement. This extra digit indicates that the measurement was made to a higher degree of accuracy.
Which of the following expressions correctly applies significant figure rules when multiplying 6.22 by 0.31?
1.93
1.9
1.92
1.928
Multiplying 6.22 by 0.31 gives a product that must be rounded to the same number of significant figures as the least precise factor (0.31 has 2 significant figures). Therefore, the product is correctly rounded to 1.9.
How should the number 0.000305 be written in scientific notation to reflect three significant figures?
3.05 x 10^-4
3.50 x 10^-4
0.000305
3.0 x 10^-4
Expressing 0.000305 in scientific notation requires shifting the decimal so that only the significant digits remain. With three significant figures, the number is correctly written as 3.05 x 10^-4.
0
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Study Outcomes

  1. Identify the number of significant figures in various numerical expressions.
  2. Apply significant figure rules to perform mathematical operations accurately.
  3. Round numerical values to the correct number of significant figures.
  4. Evaluate the impact of rounding on measurement accuracy and precision.
  5. Solve practice problems by implementing proper significant figure techniques.

Significant Figures Practice Cheat Sheet

  1. Understand the Basics of Significant Figures - Think of significant figures as the VIPs of a measurement: they include every certain digit plus one estimated digit. Mastering this concept helps you report data with confidence and precision in any science class. Significant Figures at Britannica
    2. britannica.com
  2. Identify Non-Zero Digits - Non-zero digits always count, no ifs or buts! Spot them like they're on a neon sign - 123.45, for example, has five rock-solid significant figures. Purdue Chem SIGFIG Guide
    3. chemed.chem.purdue.edu
  3. Recognize Captive Zeros - Zeros sandwiched between non-zero digits are always VIPs too. So in 1002, all four digits matter - no gatecrashers here! Purdue Chem SIGFIG Guide
    4. chemed.chem.purdue.edu
  4. Leading Zeros Are Not Significant - Zeros before the first non-zero digit are just placeholders, not precision markers. In 0.00123, only the "123" get the spotlight - three significant figures in total. Purdue Chem SIGFIG Guide
    5. chemed.chem.purdue.edu
  5. Trailing Zeros in Decimals Are Significant - When a decimal's in play, every trailing zero counts. So 12.300 isn't three - it's five significant figures, perfect for showing extra care in measurements. Purdue Chem SIGFIG Guide
    6. chemed.chem.purdue.edu
  6. Apply Rules in Addition and Subtraction - Line up your decimals and match the least precise measurement when you add or subtract. For example, 150.0 g + 0.507 g gives you 150.5 g - keeping your answer honest. Purdue Chem SIGFIG Guide
    7. chemed.chem.purdue.edu
  7. Apply Rules in Multiplication and Division - Go with the fewest significant figures among your factors. Multiply 4.5 × 7.77 and you round to two sig figs: 35. It's all about not overstating your precision! Purdue Chem SIGFIG Guide
    8. chemed.chem.purdue.edu
  8. Rounding Off Numbers - If the next digit is less than 5, keep calm and carry on; if it's 5 or up, give your last digit a nudge. So 1.684 rounded to two decimals becomes 1.68 - simple, right? Purdue Chem SIGFIG Guide
    9. chemed.chem.purdue.edu
  9. Use Scientific Notation for Clarity - Scientific notation is your superhero when numbers get unwieldy. Writing 4.500 × 10³ doesn't just look cool - it clearly shows four significant figures. Purdue Chem SIGFIG Guide
    10. chemed.chem.purdue.edu
  10. Practice with Real-World Examples - Nothing beats hands-on problems to lock in your skills. Tackle exercises from everyday lab measurements to cosmology, and watch your confidence soar! Pearson General Chemistry
    11. pearson.com
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