Comparing Numbers Written in Scientific Notation

Which of the following numbers is the least (smallest)?

• 7 x 10⁸
• 7.1 x 10⁸
• 7 x 10⁹
• 7.1 x 10⁹

Which number is the greatest?

• 5.25 x 10⁵
• 2.55 x 10⁵
• 5.55 x 10⁵
• 5 x 10⁵

The diameter of the planet Mercury is 4.87 x 10³ kilometers. The diameter of the planet Venus is 1.21 x 10⁴ kilometers. The diameter of Earth is 1.28 x 10⁴  kilometers. The diameter of Mars is 6.79 x 10³ kilometers. Which planet has the smallest diameter?

• Mercury
• Earth
• Venus
• Mars

Which of these numbers is the least?

• 3.5 x 10⁷
• 5 x 10⁷
• 3 x 10⁷
• 5.5 x 10⁷

Which of these numbers is the greatest?

• 9 x 10⁹
• 8 x 10⁹
• 9 x 10⁸
• 8 x 10⁸

Which of these numbers is the greatest?

• 5.406 x 10⁸
• 5.504 x 10⁷
• 5.604 x 10⁹
• 6.504 x 10⁸

Which of these numbers is the least?

• 9 x 10⁴
• 3.01 x 10⁹
• 1.2 x 10⁵
• 1.901 x 10⁴

UNDERSTANDING
If the exponent is a negative number...

• you will get a large number
• you will get a small number

UNDERSTANDING
If the exponent is a positive number...

• you will get a large number
• you will get a smaller number

Which element has the least mass?

• Titanium

• Lead

• Silver

• Lithium

• Hydrogen