Think Ahead 1
Scientific Notation
To prepare for the next week of class, you should fully understand and be able to answer the
following questions. You can check your answers with the answer key posted on your
instructor’s website or O drive to be sure you are correct. You can get help with this work from:
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your instructor during office hours
the Algebra Alcove in Jones 147
the MAC (the Math Assistance Center) in BH 700
online tutorials such as
http://www.wtamu.edu/academic/anns/mps/math/mathlab/col_algebra/col_alg_tut3_scino
t.htm
1. Write each term in the appropriate blank: factor, exponent, base, multiplication
In the expression, 103, the 10 is called the ______________ and the 3 is called the
________________. This notation represents repeated _______________
of the same ______________.
2. Rewrite the following using exponents:
a. 7∙7∙7∙7
3. Write as the product of factors:
a. 103
b. y∙y∙y∙x∙x
b. w5
c. 10 ∙ 10 ∙ 10 ∙ 10 ∙ 10 ∙ 10 ∙ 10
c. (y – 2)3
4. Find the value of each expression without using a calculator.
101 = ________
102 = ________
103 = ________
104 = ________
106 = ________
109 = ________
5. Look for a pattern in the numbers above. What is the relationship between the power of 10
and the value of the number?
6. Based on this pattern, predict the value of 1012 without using a calculator.
7. The expression 10 -3 is the same as
a) 1/103
b) 1/10 -3
c) -1× 103
d) -1 × 10 -3
8. Which number is in correct scientific notation?
a) 0.0105
b) 0.105 × 10-1
c) 1.05 × 10-2
d) 10.5 × 10-3
e) 105 × 10-4
9. Convert the number 734,000,000,000 to scientific notation.
10. Convert the number 0.000734 to scientific notation.
11. Circle the larger number in each pair. Do not use a calculator.
a)
1.05 × 105
1.05 × 10-5
b)
7.34 × 109
7.34 × 1012
c)
1.58 × 10-9
1.58 × 10-12