Scientific Notation SoloNotes

What’s the Point?

Scientific notation gives us a shorter way to write a very large or very small number.

Anatomy of Scientific Notation

Drag each label to its part of the number. You can also select a label, then select a space.

Scientific Notation Basics

Coefficient Rules

The coefficient must be between to .

Drag each number into a blank. You can also select a number, then select a blank.

The exponent tells you which direction and how many places it moved.

Exponent Rules

Slide the yellow decimal left for the large number. Then slide the blue decimal right for the small number.

Practice

Move the decimal until the coefficient is between 1.0 and 9.99... The scientific notation will appear when it is in the right spot.

Drag the colored decimal, or select it and then choose a spot between the digits.

Take Numbers Out of Scientific Notation

Move the decimal left for a negative exponent or right for a positive exponent. Watch the zeros appear as the power of ten counts down to zero.

Drag the colored decimal through the number, or select it and choose a new spot. Arrow keys also move it.

Calculations with Scientific Notation

Addition and Subtraction Rules

The exponents must be the same. You can match either exponent; after calculating, move the result’s decimal if needed.

Slide either number to change its coefficient and exponent. Zeros appear or disappear as you slide. Then calculate.

Subtraction Rules

The exponents must be the same. You can match either exponent; after calculating, move the result’s decimal if needed.

Multiplication and Division Rules

The exponents don’t need to match.

For multiplication: the coefficients and the exponents.

For division: the coefficients and the exponents.

Drag each rule word into a blank, or select a word and then a blank.

For each problem, drag each coefficient and exponent straight from the problem into the parentheses below. Press Calculate, then move the decimal if the coefficient needs to be between 1.0 and 9.99...