Operations in Scientific Notation
Aligned to 8.EE.A.4 — Common Core State Standards for Mathematics.
What this lesson teaches
To multiply or divide numbers in scientific notation, operate on the a-values and add or subtract the exponents. To add or subtract, first rewrite both numbers with the same power of 10.
Worked example
Multiply (3 × 10^4)(2 × 10^5). Multiply the fronts: 3 × 2 = 6. Add the exponents: 4 + 5 = 9. Result: 6 × 10^9. For division, (8 × 10^7) ÷ (2 × 10^3) = (8 ÷ 2) × 10^(7−3) = 4 × 10^4.
Practice questions
- Compute (4 × 10^3)(2 × 10^6).
- Compute (9 × 10^8) ÷ (3 × 10^2).
- Add (5 × 10^6) + (3 × 10^5), giving the answer in scientific notation.
Watch the lesson
Every lesson comes with a video taught in English and Spanish — the same video the QR code in the printed workbook opens.
▶ Watch this lessonEn español
Operaciones en Notación Científica
Para multiplicar o dividir números en notación científica, opera los valores de a y suma o resta los exponentes. Para sumar o restar, primero reescribe ambos números con la misma potencia de 10.
Ejemplo: Multiplica (3 × 10^4)(2 × 10^5). Multiplica los frentes: 3 × 2 = 6. Suma los exponentes: 4 + 5 = 9. Resultado: 6 × 10^9. Para la división, (8 × 10^7) ÷ (2 × 10^3) = (8 ÷ 2) × 10^(7−3) = 4 × 10^4.
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