The Power of Ten

Student will compose and decompose whole numbers up to 999

Nemeth scientific notation
Powers of Ten and how multiplication by 10’s or division by 10’s affects a number

Review vocabulary: Exponent, Base Number, Scientific Notation, and Standard Form
With student review how using the power of ten helps in estimating and epressing very large or small numbers. An example to use is 3.102 x 10² = 3.102 x 100 = 310.2. An easier way to solve this problem process is to shift the decimal point 2 places to the right so 3.102 x 10² = 310.2 (every time you multiply the number by 10 you move the decimal one place to the right). By writing the problem as 3.102 x 10² we are writing the problem in scientic notation. If this is clear to the student consider the problem in reverse. How would the number 4352.7 be written in scientific notation? The decimal point is moved to the left until it is between the ones and thenths place. So in the number 4352.7 move the decimal point three places to the left to get 4.352.7. The power of ten in this case is 10³. Practice this two more times with numbers of your choosing. Use an abacus or a place value chart (copy of chart attached) to help guide the student.
Once the student is confident, to reinforce the lesson, have them complete the attached Powers of Ten worksheet using the media of student’s choice to record his/her response.

By Susan LoFranco

Attached File(s)