Very Small Numbers
Part of the Exponents & Polynomials section of Coddy's Algebra journey. Lesson 35 of 64.
A human hair is about 0.00007 meters thick. Small numbers drown in leading zeros the same way large ones drown in trailing zeros, and the same notation rescues both, now with the negative exponents from last chapter.
0.003 is 3 thousandths: 3 * 1/1000, which is 3 * 10^-3. The decimal point moved three places right to stand after the 3, and the exponent -3 remembers: three hops toward small.
The sign of the exponent tells the direction of the story. Positive: a large number, point moved left to shrink it into format. Negative: a small number, point moved right to grow it into format. The first part stays between 1 and 10 either way.
Challenge
EasyWrite 0.06 in scientific notation. Type it onto the canvas.
Test yourselfThis lesson includes a short quiz. Start the lesson to answer it and track your progress.
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