More Practice, Bigger Numbers
Part of the Exponents & Polynomials section of Coddy's Algebra journey. Lesson 34 of 64.
Two and a half million: 2.5 * 10^6. The one digit after the point uses the first hop; the remaining five hops fill with zeros: 2500000.
This is where scientific notation earns its keep. Comparing 2.5 * 10^6 with 9.8 * 10^5 takes one glance at the exponents: 6 beats 5, so the first is bigger, no zero counting required. Standard form makes you count; scientific notation makes you look.
Calculators and programming languages print 2.5e6 for the same thing: the e is the “times 10 to the power of” said quickly. You will meet it constantly.
Challenge
EasyWrite 1.8 * 10^6 in standard form, sliding the point as far as you like per line.
Try it yourself
Simplify the expression
Test yourselfThis lesson includes a short quiz. Start the lesson to answer it and track your progress.
All lessons in Exponents & Polynomials
1What a Power Is
Repeated MultiplicationSquares and CubesPowers of Negative NumbersWhere the Minus LivesRecap: First Powers4Power of a Power
A Power Raised AgainWhy Exponents MultiplyProduct Rule or Power Rule?The Rule in LettersRecap: Power of a Power7Scientific Notation
Very Large NumbersBack to Standard FormMore Practice, Bigger NumbersVery Small NumbersMultiplying the NotationRecap: Scientific Notation2The Product Rule
Multiplying Same BasesWith CoefficientsMore Than Two FactorsThe Rule in LettersRecap: The Product Rule5Product and Quotient Powers
Every Factor Gets the PowerWith a Number InsideA Power of a QuotientAll Three Rules TogetherRecap: Products and Quotients8What a Polynomial Is
Terms with PowersThe DegreeLike Terms, Only StrongerRecap: Meet the Polynomials11Dividing by a Monomial
Splitting the FractionDividing by a Variable TermBigger SplitsCancel with CareRecap: Dividing3The Quotient Rule
Dividing Same BasesWhy Exponents SubtractWith CoefficientsThe Rule in LettersRecap: The Quotient Rule6Zero and Negative Exponents
The Zero ExponentZero at WorkNegative Means ReciprocalWriting Without NegativesPowers of TenRecap: Zero and Negative