Scientific Notation

Objectives

Students will use scientific notation to understand numbers, ways of representing numbers, relationships among numbers and number systems.
Students will develop an understanding of large numbers and recognize and appropriately use exponential, scientific, and calculated notation.
Students will try to make a connection with how to understand these topics in IB Mathematics courses and on their final assessments.

Vocabulary

Scientific Notation
Expanded Form

Integers
Percentage Error

About the lesson

Scientific notation is a way of writing very large and very small numbers. Numbers in scientific notation include two parts, a number greater than or equal to 1 and less than 10, and a power of 10.

Key Steps

Step 1

In this activity, students explore very large numbers, very small numbers, and learn how to convert numbers between expanded form and scientific notation. Students change the mode from Normal to Sci and back to display the desired format. They will also place numbers in appropriate locations on a number line.

Step 2

Students use a paper folding scenario to explore large numbers in scientific notation.

Step 3

Then, students use probability to explore very small numbers in scientific notation

Downloads

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Scientific Notation.ZIP

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