Sig Figs and Scientific Notation
1. Explain each of the different types of zeros considered when counting
significant figures and give an example of each.
2. Put the following sets of numbers in order from smallest to largest
a. 0.014
1.4 x 103
1.4 x 10-3
8
6
b. 4.8 x 10
2.5 x 10
9.2 x 105
c. 5.4 x 10-6
1.3 x 10-11
7.34 x 10-4
d. 0.00094
6.99 x 10-4
5.33 x 10-4
3. Convert to or from scientific notation and list the number of significant
figures in each number: (The number of sig figs in each form MUST be
the same)
a. 0.003912
b. 6.310 ´ 10-3
c. 4.302 ´ 107
d. 126000000
e. 0.000005678
f. 2.156 ´ 105
g. 439.20
h. 3.00 ´ 10-4
4. For each measurement identify the number of significant figures
a. 1,050,501 km
b. 0.0020 m
c. 0.001090 cm
d. 0.000312 m
e. 312,000 s
f. 3.12 x 105 km
5. Round each number to four significant figures
a. 156.852
b. 156.842
c. 156.849
d. 156.986
6. Round each number to three significant figures and write in scientific
notation where necessary.
a. 79,845.82
b. 2.349999995
7
c. 1.548937 x 10
d. 0.000045389
7. Solve the following and round to the correct number of sig figs:
a. (1.2) (4.831)
b. 15.84 / 3.0
c. 12.56 + 3.985
d. 0.418 – 0.0957
-4
-7
e. (3.440 x 10 ) (6.01 x 10 )
f. (5.9 x 105) / (8.20 x 10-3)
g. (12.50) (4.807 X 107)
h. (9.52 X 107) / (0.03851)
Sig Figs and Scientific Notation Answers
1. Explain each of the different types of zeros…

Leading – before non-zeros – 0.005 – don’t count

Captive – between non-zeros – 4005 – do count

Trailing – after non-zeros
o No decimal – 4,000 – don’t count / Decimal – 3.00 – do count
2. Put the following sets of numbers in order from smallest to largest
a. 1.4 x 10-3
0.014
1.4 x 103
b. 9.2 x 105
2.5 x 106
4.8 x 108
c. 1.3 x 10-11
5.4 x 10-6
7.34 x 10-4
d. 5.33 x 10-4
6.99 x 10-4
0.00094
3. Convert to or from scientific notation and list…
a. 0.003912

3.912 x 10-3 4 sig figs
b. 6.310 ´ 10-3

0.006310
c. 4.302 ´ 107

43,020,000 4 sig figs
d. 126,000,000

1.26 x 108
e. 0.000005678

5.678 x 10-6 4 sig figs
f. 2.156 ´ 105

215,600
g. 439.20

4.3920 x 102 5 sig figs
h. 3.00 ´ 10-4

0.000300
4 sig figs
3 sig figs
4 sig figs
3 sig figs
4. For each measurement identify the number of significant figures
a. 1,050,501 km
7 sig figs
b. 0.0020 m
2 sig figs
c. 0.001090 cm
4 sig figs
d. 0.000312 m
3 sig figs
e. 312,000 s
3 sig figs
f. 3.12 x 105 km
3 sig figs
5. Round each number to four significant figures
a. 156.852
156.9
b. 156.842
156.8
c. 156.849
156.8
d. 156.986
157.0
6. Round each number to three significant figures
a. 79,845.82
79,800
b. 2.349999995
2.35
c. 1.548937 x 107
1.55 x 107
d. 0.000045389
4.54 x 10-5
7. Solve the following and round to the correct number of sig figs:
a. (1.2) (4.831) =
5.7972

5.8
b. 15.84 / 3.0 =
5.28

5.3
c. 12.56 + 3.985 =
16.545

16.55
d. 0.418 – 0.0957 =
0.3223

0.322
e. (3.440 x 10-4) (6.01 x 10-7) = 2.06744 x 10-10 
2.07 x 10-10
f. (5.9 x 105) / (8.20 x 10-3) = 7.19512195 x 107 
7.2 x 107
g. (12.50) (4.807 X 107) = 6.00875 x 108

6.009 x 108
h. (9.52 X 107) / (0.03851) = 2.472085 x 109

2.47 x 109