Comparing Numbers in Scientific Notation

Which number is smaller: 7.2 × 10^-4 or 1.5 × 10^3?

• 7.2 × 10^-4

• 1.5 × 10^3

• They are equal

• Cannot be determined

Which of the following numbers is the largest?

• 2.5 × 10^8

• 9.9 × 10^7

• 1.0 × 10^9

• 5.0 × 10^-1

When comparing two numbers in scientific notation with different positive exponents, which part should you look at first to determine which number is larger?

• The coefficient (the first number)

• The base (always 10)

• The exponent

• The number of digits

Which number is larger: 5.6 × 10^7 or 2.1 × 10^9?

• 5.6 × 10^7

• 2.1 × 10^9

• They are equal

• Cannot be determined

When comparing two numbers in scientific notation with different negative exponents, how do you determine which number is larger?

• The number with the smaller absolute value exponent is larger.

• The number with the larger absolute value exponent is larger.

• The number with more digits in standard form is larger.

• The number with fewer digits in standard form is larger.

Which number is larger: 4.5 × 10^-3 or 8.9 × 10^-5?

• 4.5 × 10^-3

• 8.9 × 10^-5

• They are equal

• Cannot be determined

Choose the correct comparison symbol for the following: 9.1 × 10^5 ___ 1.3 × 10^4

• <

• >

• =

• ≤

Choose the correct comparison symbol for the following: 2.0 × 10^-8 ___ 7.5 × 10^-6

• <

• >

• =

• ≥

Choose the correct comparison symbol for the following: 3.2 × 10^-7 ___ 5 × 10^-7

• <

• >

• =

• ≠

Which number is larger: 3.4 × 10^2 or 6.1 × 10^2?

• 3.4 × 10^2

• 6.1 × 10^2

• They are equal

• Cannot be determined