Comparing and Ordering Scientific Notation

Front

What is scientific notation?

Back

A way of expressing numbers that are too large or too small to be conveniently written in decimal form, using powers of ten.

Front

How do you compare numbers in scientific notation?

Back

Compare the exponents first; the number with the larger exponent is greater. If the exponents are the same, compare the coefficients.

Front

What is the coefficient in scientific notation?

Back

The number that is multiplied by the power of ten, typically a number between 1 and 10.

Front

What does the exponent in scientific notation indicate?

Back

The exponent indicates how many places to move the decimal point. A positive exponent moves it to the right, while a negative exponent moves it to the left.

Front

Convert 5.25 x 10^5 to standard form.

Back

525000.

Front

Convert 3.1 x 10^-2 to standard form.

Back

0.031.

Front

Which is greater: 2.5 x 10^3 or 3.0 x 10^2?

Back

2.5 x 10^3 is greater because 10^3 (1000) is larger than 10^2 (100).

Front

How do you order the following numbers from least to greatest: 4.8 x 10^-6, 1.3 x 10^20, 9.5 x 10^32?

Back

4.8 x 10^-6, 1.3 x 10^20, 9.5 x 10^32.

Front

What is the significance of the base 10 in scientific notation?

Back

Base 10 is used because it is the standard numeral system, making calculations and comparisons easier.

Front

If you have 3.2 x 10^3 and 4.3 x 10^3, which is larger?

Back

4.3 x 10^3 is larger because the coefficients are compared and 4.3 is greater than 3.2.