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Copyright © Swun MathCopyright © Swun Math (^) Grade 8 Unit 3 Lesson 2 P TE

Scientific Notation

Procedural Lesson

Grade 8 · Unit 3 · Lesson 2
MC: 8 .EE. 3 

Problem of the Day

Objective: I will use the scientific notation to write very large and very small numbers.

Vocabulary Teacher Resources

Scientific Notation: a method to write very

large numbers or very small numbers as the

product of a number between 1 and 10 and a

power of 10

99 = 9.9 × 101

Power of Ten: ten multiplied by itself the

number of times indicated by the

exponent

To figure out power of 10, think “How many

places does the decimal point move?”

If number is 10 or greater,

move to the left = positive power

If number is less than 1,

move to the right = negative power

Meaning Value

104 10 · 10 · 10 · 10 10,000

103 10 · 10 · 10 1000

102 10 · 10 100

101 10 10

100 1 1

10 -^1 1

10

0.1

10 -^2 1

10 ⋅

1

10

0.01

10 -^3 1

10 ⋅

1

10 ·

1

10

0.001

10 -^4 1

10 ⋅

1

10 ·

1

10 ⋅

1

10

0.0001

Considerations:

Review powers of 10 by creating a class chart.

Explain which way to move the decimal depending on the

exponent. Write the number out in expanded form to prove.

Have students use an arrow to mark the decimal places to

avoid careless errors. Use the × symbol for multiplication in

this lesson.

Students must understand that moving the decimal left or

right is the same as multiplying it by 10 x.

Steps:

1. Ask yourself, “Is my number big or small?”
   
   
   • Big number = positive power
   
   
   • Small number = negative power
   
   
   
   


2. Move the decimal point so that you have a number
   between 1 and 10.


3. Count how many times you moved the decimal to
   determine the power.


4. Write expression using scientific notation.

(^)
Scientific Notation to Standard Form:

1. If the exponent is positive, move to the right
   (multiplication).


2. If the exponent is negative, move to the left
   (division).


3. Make additional zeros for place value needed.

Application of MPs:

MP6: How do you know if the exponent will be + or -?

I know that the exponent will be a positive/negative

because.

MP7: What connection do you find between the exponent

and the value of the power of 10?

The connection I see between the exponent and the

value is.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

* * * *  *

MPs

Applied MP

* Embedded MP

Student Journal Pages

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