Questions: Significant Figures in Measurement and Calculation
4 questions to test your understanding
Score: 0 / 4
Question 1 Multiple Choice
How many significant figures are in 0.004500 g?
A2
B4
C6
D7
The leading zeros only place the decimal point. The digits 4 and 5 count, and the two trailing zeros after the decimal point also count because they report measured precision. That gives 4.
Question 2 Short Answer
Calculate 12.11 g + 18.0 g + 1.013 g and report the answer with correct significant figures.
Think about your answer, then reveal below.
Model answer: 31.1 g
The raw sum is 31.123 g. In addition, the answer keeps the fewest decimal places of any term. 18.0 has one decimal place, so the result rounds to 31.1 g.
Question 3 Multiple Choice
A student multiplies 4.56 cm by 1.4 cm. What is the correctly reported area?
A6.384 cm²
B6.38 cm²
C6.4 cm²
D6 cm²
In multiplication, the result keeps as many significant figures as the factor with the fewest. 1.4 has two, so 6.384 rounds to 6.4 cm².
Question 4 True / False
When converting 25.0 mL to liters using 1 L = 1000 mL, the answer can have only one significant figure because 1 L has one significant figure.
TTrue
FFalse
Answer: False
1 L = 1000 mL is an exact definition, so it does not limit precision. The answer, 0.0250 L, keeps the three significant figures of the measurement 25.0 mL.