Scientific Notation

The exponent counts the places the decimal point moves left (1 ≤ a < 10)

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About This Practice

Scientific notation writes big numbers as a×10ⁿ with 1 ≤ a < 10. The trick is to count the decimal point: slide the point of 3,500,000 from the end to just after the 3 — six places — so 3,500,000 = 3.5×10⁶. Places moved = exponent. Watch the two move together, then pick the right notation out of the distractors.

Write big numbers in standard form a×10ⁿ (1 ≤ a < 10): watch the decimal point glide from the end to just after the first digit while the exponent of 10 climbs place by place — the exponent equals the number of places moved. Random 5- to 9-digit numbers, then pick the correct notation from distractors (including exponents off by one).

EasyEstimated Time: 15minscientific notationlarge numberspowers of tendecimal pointexponent

How to Play

  1. Count the digits of the big number; the exponent is digits minus 1.
  2. Watch the decimal point slide left while the exponent climbs in sync.
  3. Check a: the point stops right after the first digit, so 1 ≤ a < 10.
  4. Pick the correct standard notation — watch out for exponents off by one.
  5. Take a new number: count the digits first, then answer.

Learning Objectives

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