Exponents and

Scientific Notation
MODULE

LESSON 2.1
2
? ESSENTIAL QUESTION
Integer Exponents
COMMON
How can you use scientific CORE 8.EE.1
notation to solve real-world
problems? LESSON 2.2
Scientific Notation
with Positive
Powers of 10
COMMON
CORE 8.EE.3

LESSON 2.3
Scientific Notation
with Negative
Powers of 10
COMMON
CORE 8.EE.3

LESSON 2.4
Operations with
Scientific Notation
COMMON
CORE 8.EE.4
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Real-World Video
The distance from Earth to other planets, moons,
and stars is a very great number of kilometers. To
make it easier to write very large and very small
my.hrw.com numbers, we use scientific notation.
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my.hrw.com my.hrw.com Math On the Spot Animated Math Personal Math Trainer
Go digital with your Scan with your smart Interactively explore Get immediate
write-in student phone to jump directly key concepts to see feedback and help as
edition, accessible on to the online edition, how math works. you work through
any device. video tutor, and more. practice sets.

29
 Are YOU Ready?
Complete these exercises to review skills you will Personal
need for this module. Math Trainer
Online
Assessment and
my.hrw.com Intervention
Exponents
Write the exponential expression
EXAMPLE 104 = 10 × 10 × 10 × 10 as a product.
= 10,000 Simplify.

Write each exponential expression as a decimal.

1. 102 2. 103 3. 105 4. 107

Multiply and Divide by Powers of 10

EXAMPLE 0.0478 × 105 = 0.0478 × 100,000 Identify the number of zeros
in the power of 10.
= 4,780
When multiplying, move the
decimal point to the right the
same number of places as
the number of zeros.

37.9 ÷ 104 = 37.9 ÷ 10,000 Identify the number of zeros in

the power of 10.
= 0.00379
When dividing, move the decimal
point to the left the same number
of places as the number of zeros.

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Find each product or quotient.
5. 45.3 × 103 6. 7.08 ÷ 102 7. 0.00235 × 106 8. 3,600 ÷ 104

9. 0.5 × 102 10. 67.7 ÷ 105 11. 0.0057 × 104 12. 195 ÷ 106

30 Unit 1
 Reading Start-Up Vocabulary
Review Words
✔ base (base)
Visualize Vocabulary
✔ exponent (exponente)
Use the ✔ words to complete the Venn diagram. You can put more integers (enteros)
than one word in each section of the diagram. ✔ positive number (número
positivo)
standard notation
102 (notación estándar)

Preview Words
10 is: 2 is: power (potencia)
rational number (número
racional)
real numbers (número
real)
scientific notation
(notación científica)
whole number (número
Understand Vocabulary entero)
Complete the sentences using the preview words.

1. A number produced by raising a base to an exponent

is a .

2. is a method of writing very large or

very small numbers by using powers of 10.

3. A is any number that can be expressed

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as a ratio of two integers.

Active Reading
Two-Panel Flip Chart Create a two-panel flip
chart to help you understand the concepts in this
module. Label one flap “Positive Powers of 10” and
the other flap “Negative Powers of 10.” As you
study each lesson, write important ideas under
the appropriate flap. Include sample problems
that will help you remember the concepts later
when you look back at your notes.

Module 2 31
 MODULE 2

Unpacking the Standards

Understanding the standards and the vocabulary terms in the
standards will help you know exactly what you are expected to
learn in this module.

COMMON
CORE 8.EE.1
Know and apply the properties
What It Means to You
of integer exponents to You will use the properties of integer exponents
generate equivalent numerical to find equivalent expressions.
expressions.
UNPACKING EXAMPLE 8.EE.1
Key Vocabulary Evaluate two different ways.
integer (entero) 83
__ 83
__ 8⋅8⋅8 1 1
The set of whole numbers and 85 85
= __________
8⋅8⋅8⋅8⋅8
= ____
8⋅8
= __
64
their opposites
83
__ 1 1 1
exponent (exponente) 85
= 8(3–5) = 8-2 = __
82
= ____
8⋅8
= __
64
The number that indicates
how many times the base is (32)4 (32)4 = (32)(32)(32)(32) = 32 + 2 + 2 + 2 = 38 = 6,561
used as a factor.
(32)4 = 3(2 ⋅ 4) = 38 = 6,561

COMMON
CORE 8.EE.3
Use numbers expressed in the What It Means to You
form of a single digit times an You will convert very large numbers
integer power of 10 to estimate to scientific notation.
very large or very small quantities,
and to express how many times UNPACKING EXAMPLE 8.EE.3

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as much one is than the other. There are about 55,000,000,000 cells in an average-sized adult.
Write this number in scientific notation.
Key Vocabulary
scientific notation (notación Move the decimal point to the left until you have a number that
cientifica) is greater than or equal to 1 and less than 10.
A method of writing very large
or very small numbers by using 5.5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Move the decimal point 10 places to the left.
powers of 10.
5.5 Remove the extra zeros.

You would have to multiply 5.5 by 1010 to get 55,000,000,000.

Visit my.hrw.com
55,000,000,000 = 5.5 × 1010
to see all the
Common Core
Standards
unpacked.
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32 Unit 1
 LESSON

2.1 Integer Exponents

COMMON
CORE 8.EE.1
Know and apply the
properties of integer
exponents to generate
equivalent numerical
expressions.

? ESSENTIAL QUESTION
How can you develop and use the properties of integer
exponents?

EXPLORE ACTIVITY 1
COMMON
CORE 8.EE.1

Using Patterns of Integer Exponents

The table below shows powers of 5, 4, and 3.

54 = 625 53 = 125 52 = 25 51 = 5 50 = 5-1 = 5-2 =

44 = 256 43 = 64 42 = 16 41 = 4 40 = 4-1 = 4-2 =

34 = 81 33 = 27 32 = 9 31 = 3 30 = 3-1 = 3-2 =

A What pattern do you see in the powers of 5?

B What pattern do you see in the powers of 4?

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C What pattern do you see in the powers of 3?

D Complete the table for the values of 50, 5-1, 5-2.

E Complete the table for the values of 40, 4-1, 4-2.
F Complete the table for the values of 30, 3-1, 3-2.

Reflect
1. Make a Conjecture Write a general rule for the value of a0.

2. Make a Conjecture Write a general rule for the value of a-n.

Lesson 2.1 33
EXPLORE ACTIVITY 2
COMMON
CORE 8.EE.1

Exploring Properties of Integer Exponents

A Complete the following equations.

3·3·3·3·3=3

(3 · 3 · 3 · 3) · 3 = 3 ·3 =3

(3 · 3 · 3) · (3 · 3) = 3 ·3 =3

What pattern do you see when multiplying two powers with the
same base?

Use your pattern to complete this equation: 52 · 55 = 5 .

B Complete the following equation:

1 1
45
__ ·4· 4·4·4
4__________ · 4 · 14 · 4 · 4
4__________
3 = 4·4· 4
= 41· 41· 41
=4·4=4
4
What pattern do you see when dividing two powers with the same base?

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8 Math Talk
6 =6
Use your pattern to complete this equation: __ . Mathematical Practices
3
6 Do the patterns you found
in parts A–C apply if the
C Complete the following equations: exponents are negative?
If so, give an example
of each.
( 53 )2 = (5 · 5 · 5) = (5 · 5 · 5) · (5 · 5 · 5) = 5

What pattern do you see when raising a power to a power?

4
Use your pattern to complete this equation: ( 72 ) = 7 .

34 Unit 1
 Reflect
Let m and n be integers.

3. Make a Conjecture Write a general rule for the value of am · an.

m
a
4. Make a Conjecture Write a general rule for the value of __n , a ≠ 0.
a
n
5. Make a Conjecture Write a general rule for the value of ( am ) .

Applying Properties of Integer

Exponents
You can use the general rules you found in the Explore Activities to simplify
more complicated expressions. Math On the Spot
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EXAMPL 1
EXAMPLE COMMON
CORE 8.EE.1
My Notes
Simplify each expression.
A (5 - 2)5 · 3-8 + (5 + 2)0
(3)5 · 3-8 + (7)0 Simplify within parentheses.

35 + (-8) + 1 Use properties of exponents.

3-3 + 1 Simplify.
1
__
27
+ 1 = 1__
1
27
Apply the rule for negative exponents and add.

B [________
(3 + 1)2 ]
3

(7 - 3)2
(42)3
____ Simplify within parentheses.
42
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46
__ Use properties of exponents.
42
46-2 Use properties of exponents.
44 = 256 Simplify.

YOUR TURN
Simplify each expression.
6. [_______
(6 - 1)2 ]
2
7. (22 )3 - (10 - 6)3 ∙ 4-5 Personal
(3 + 2)
3
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and Intervention
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Lesson 2.1 35
Guided Practice
Find the value of each power. (Explore Activity 1)

1. 8-1 = 2. 6-2 = 3. 2560 =

4. 102 = 5. 54 = 6. 2-5 =

7. 4-5 = 8. 890 = 9. 11-3 =

Use properties of exponents to write an equivalent expression. (Explore Activity 2)

10. 4 · 4 · 4 = 4 11. (2 · 2) · (2 · 2 · 2) = 2 ·2 =2

-
67 6·6·6·6·6·6·6 812
12. __ = _______________
6·6·6·6·6
= 13. ___ =8 =
65 89

14. 510 · 5 · 5 = 5 15. 78 · 75 =

16. (62)4 = (6 · 6) 17. (33)3 = (3 · 3 · 3)3

= (6 · 6) · (6 · 6) · ( · ) · = (3 · 3 · 3) · ( · · )
= =

Simplify each expression. (Example 1)

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(12 - 5) 7
18. (10 - 6)3 · 42 + (10 + 2)2 19. ________
[ (3 + 4) ]
2 2

?
? ESSENTIAL QUESTION CHECK-IN

20. Summarize the rules for multiplying powers with the same base, dividing
powers with the same base, and raising a power to a power.

36 Unit 1
 Name Class Date

2.1 Independent Practice Personal

Math Trainer
COMMON Online
CORE 8.EE.1 Assessment and
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21. Explain why the exponents cannot be added in the product 123 · 113.

22. List three ways to express 35 as a product of powers.

23. Astronomy The distance from Earth to the moon is about 224 miles.
The distance from Earth to Neptune is about 227 miles. Which distance
is the greater distance and about how many times greater is it?

24. Critique Reasoning A student claims that 83 · 8-5 is greater than 1.

Explain whether the student is correct or not.

Find the missing exponent.

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25
y
25. ( b2 ) = b-6 26. x · x6 = x 9 27. ______ = y6

28. Communicate Mathematical Ideas Why do you subtract exponents

when dividing powers with the same base?

29. Astronomy The mass of the Sun is about 2 × 1027 metric tons, or
2 ×1030 kilograms. How many kilograms are in one metric ton?
Getty Images

30. Represent Real-World Problems In computer technology, a kilobyte is

210 bytes in size. A gigabyte is 230 bytes in size. The size of a terabyte is the
product of the size of a kilobyte and the size of a gigabyte. What is the
size of a terabyte?

Lesson 2.1 37
 7
31. Write equivalent expressions for x7 · x-2 and __
x
. What do you notice?
x2
Explain how your results relate to the properties of integer exponents.

A toy store is creating a large window display of different colored cubes

stacked in a triangle shape. The table shows the number of cubes in each
row of the triangle, starting with the top row.

Row 1 2 3 4
2 3
Number of cubes in each row 3 3 3 34

32. Look for a Pattern Describe any pattern you see in the table.

33. Using exponents, how many cubes will be in Row 6?

How many times as many cubes will be in Row 6 than in Row 3?

34. Justify Reasoning If there are 6 rows in the triangle, what is the total
number of cubes in the triangle? Explain how you found your answer.

FOCUS ON HIGHER ORDER THINKING Work Area

2
6
35. Critique Reasoning A student simplified the expression ___ as _13 .
362
Do you agree with this student? Explain why or why not.

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36. Draw Conclusions Evaluate –an when a = 3 and n = 2, 3, 4, and 5. Now
evaluate (–a)n when a = 3 and n = 2, 3, 4, and 5. Based on this sample,
does it appear that –an = (–a)n? If not, state the relationships, if any,
between –an and (–a)n.

37. Persevere in Problem Solving A number to the 12th power divided by

the same number to the 9th power equals 125. What is the number?

38 Unit 1
 LESSON
Scientific Notation
2.2
COMMON
CORE 8.EE.3
Use numbers expressed in
the form of a single digit
with Positive Powers times an integer power of
10 to estimate very large or
very small quantities, ….
of 10
? ESSENTIAL QUESTION
How can you use scientific notation to express very
large quantities?

COMMON
8.EE.3
EXPLORE ACTIVITY
CORE

Using Scientific Notation

Scientific notation is a method of expressing very large and very small
numbers as a product of a number greater than or equal to 1 and
less than 10, and a power of 10.

The weights of various sea creatures are shown in the table.

Write the weight of the blue whale in scientific notation.

Sea Creature Blue whale Gray whale Whale shark

Weight (lb) 250,000 68,000 41,200

A Move the decimal point in 250,000 to the left as many places as necessary
to find a number that is greater than or equal to 1 and less than 10.

What number did you find?

B Divide 250,000 by your answer to A . Write your answer as a power of 10.
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C Combine your answers to

A and B to represent 250,000.
250,000 = × 10

Repeat steps A through C to write the weight

of the whale shark in scientific notation.
41,200 = × 10

Reflect
1. How many places to the left did you move the decimal point to write

41,200 in scientific notation?

2. What is the exponent on 10 when you write 41,200 in scientific notation?

Lesson 2.2 39
 Writing a Number in Scientific Notation
To translate between standard notation and scientific notation, you can count
the number of places the decimal point moves.

Math On the Spot

my.hrw.com Writing Large Quantities in Scientific Notation
When the number is
The decimal point
greater than or equal
8 4, 0 0 0 = 8.4 × 104 moves 4 places.
to 10, use a positive
to the left.
exponent.

EXAMPLE 1 COMMON
CORE 8.EE.3

The distance from Earth to the Sun is about 93,000,000 miles. Write this
distance in scientific notation.

STEP 1 Move the decimal point in 93,000,000 to the left until you have
a number that is greater than or equal to 1 and less than 10.
Math Talk 9.3 0 0 0 0 0 0. Move the decimal point 7 places to the left.
Mathematical Practices
Is 12 × 10 written
7
9.3 Remove extra zeros.
in scientific notation?
Explain.
STEP 2 Divide the original number by the result from Step 1.

10,000,000 Divide 93,000,000 by 9.3.

107 Write your answer as a power of 10.

STEP 3 Write the product of the results from Steps 1 and 2.

93,000,000 = 9.3 × 107 miles Write a product to represent

93,000,000 in scientific notation.

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YOUR TURN
Write each number in scientific notation.
3. 6,400 4. 570,000,000,000

5. A light-year is the distance that light travels in a year and is equivalent to

Personal
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40 Unit 1
 Writing a Number in Standard Notation
To translate between scientific notation and standard notation, move the
decimal point the number of places indicated by the exponent in the power
of 10. When the exponent is positive, move the decimal point to the right and
add placeholder zeros as needed. Math On the Spot
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EXAMPL 2
EXAMPLE COMMON
CORE 8.EE.3
My Notes
Write 3.5 × 10 in standard notation.
6

STEP 1 Use the exponent of the power of 10 6 places

to see how many places to move the
decimal point.

STEP 2 Place the decimal point. Since you are 3 5 0 0 0 0 0.

going to write a number greater than 3.5,
move the decimal point to the right. Add
placeholder zeros if necessary.

The number 3.5 × 106 written in standard notation is 3,500,000.

Reflect
6. Explain why the exponent in 3.5 × 106 is 6, while there are only 5 zeros
in 3,500,000.
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7. What is the exponent on 10 when you write 5.3 in scientific notation?

YOUR TURN
Write each number in standard notation.

8. 7.034 × 109 9. 2.36 × 105

10. The mass of one roosting colony of Monarch butterflies in Mexico was
Personal
estimated at 5 × 106 grams. Write this mass in standard notation. Math Trainer
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Lesson 2.2 41
Guided Practice
Write each number in scientific notation. (Explore Activity and Example 1)
1. 58,927 2. 1,304,000,000
Hint: Move the decimal left 4 places. Hint: Move the decimal left 9 places.

3. 6,730,000 4. 13,300

5. An ordinary quarter contains about 6. The distance from Earth to the Moon is
97,700,000,000,000,000,000,000 atoms. about 384,000 kilometers.

Write each number in standard notation. (Example 2)

7. 4 × 105 8. 1.8499 × 109
Hint: Move the decimal right 5 places. Hint: Move the decimal right 9 places.

9. 6.41 × 103 10. 8.456 × 107

11. 8 × 105 12. 9 × 1010

13. Diana calculated that she spent about 5.4 × 104 seconds doing her math
homework during October. Write this time in standard notation. (Example 2)

14. The town recycled 7.6 × 106 cans this year. Write the number of cans in

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standard notation. (Example 2)

?
? ESSENTIAL QUESTION CHECK-IN

15. Describe how to write 3,482,000,000 in scientific notation.

42 Unit 1
 Name Class Date

2.2 Independent Practice Personal

Math Trainer

COMMON
Online
CORE 8.EE.3 Assessment and
my.hrw.com Intervention

Paleontology Use the table for problems 24. Entomology A tropical species of mite
16–21. Write the estimated weight of each named Archegozetes longisetosus is the
dinosaur in scientific notation. record holder for the strongest insect in
the world. It can lift up to 1.182 × 103 times
Estimated Weight of Dinosaurs its own weight.
Name Pounds a. If you were as strong as this insect,
Argentinosaurus 220,000 explain how you could find how many
pounds you could lift.
Brachiosaurus 100,000
Apatosaurus 66,000
Diplodocus 50,000
Camarasaurus 40,000
Cetiosauriscus 19,850 b. Complete the calculation to find how
much you could lift, in pounds, if you
were as strong as an Archegozetes
16. Apatosaurus longisetosus mite. Express your answer
17. Argentinosaurus in both scientific notation and standard
notation.
18. Brachiosaurus

19. Camarasaurus

20. Cetiosauriscus
25. During a discussion in science class, Sharon
21. Diplodocus learns that at birth an elephant weighs
around 230 pounds. In four herds of
22. A single little brown bat can eat up to
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elephants tracked by conservationists, about

1,000 mosquitoes in a single hour.
20 calves were born during the summer. In
Express in scientific notation how many
scientific notation, express approximately
mosquitoes a little brown bat might eat in
how much the calves weighed all together.
10.5 hours.

26. Classifying Numbers Which of the

23. Multistep Samuel can type nearly
following numbers are written in scientific
40 words per minute. Use this information
notation?
to find the number of hours it would take
him to type 2.6 × 105 words. 0.641 × 103 9.999 × 104
2 × 101 4.38 × 510

Lesson 2.2 43
27. Explain the Error Polly’s parents’ car weighs about 3500 pounds. Samantha,
Esther, and Polly each wrote the weight of the car in scientific notation. Polly Work Area
wrote 35.0 × 102, Samantha wrote 0.35 × 104, and Esther wrote 3.5 × 104.
a. Which of these girls, if any, is correct?

b. Explain the mistakes of those who got the question wrong.

28. Justify Reasoning If you were a biologist counting very large numbers of
cells as part of your research, give several reasons why you might prefer to
record your cell counts in scientific notation instead of standard notation.

FOCUS ON HIGHER ORDER THINKING

29. Draw Conclusions Which measurement would be least likely to be

written in scientific notation: number of stars in a galaxy, number of
grains of sand on a beach, speed of a car, or population of a country?
Explain your reasoning.

30. Analyze Relationships Compare the two numbers to find which is

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greater. Explain how you can compare them without writing them in
standard notation first.

4.5 × 106 2.1 × 108

31. Communicate Mathematical Ideas To determine whether a number is

written in scientific notation, what test can you apply to the first factor,
and what test can you apply to the second factor?

44 Unit 1
 LESSON
Scientific Notation
2.3
COMMON
CORE 8.EE.3
Use numbers expressed in the

with Negative form of a single digit times

an integer power of 10 to
estimate very large or very
small quantities, ….
Powers of 10
? ESSENTIAL QUESTION
How can you use scientific notation to express very
small quantities?

COMMON
8.EE.3
EXPLORE ACTIVITY
CORE

Negative Powers of 10 Animated

Math
You can use what you know about writing very large numbers in scientific
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notation to write very small numbers in scientific notation.

A typical human hair has a diameter of 0.000025 meter. Write this number
in scientific notation.
A Notice how the decimal point moves in the list below. Complete the list.
2.345 × 100 = 2.3 4 5 It moves one 2.345 × 100 = 2.3 4 5 It moves one
place to the place to the
2.345 × 101 = 2 3.4 5 right with 2.345 × 10-1 = 0.2 3 4 5 left with each
2.345 × 102 = 2 3 4.5 each increasing 2.345 × 10-2 = 0.0 2 3 4 5 decreasing
power of 10. power of 10.

2.345 × 10 = 2 3 4 5. 2.345 × 10 = 0.0 0 2 3 4 5

B Move the decimal point in 0.000025 to the right as many places as

necessary to find a number that is greater than or equal to 1 and

less than 10. What number did you find?

C Divide 0.000025 by your answer to B
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Write your answer as a power of 10.

D Combine your answers to B and C to represent 0.000025 in

scientific notation.

Reflect
1. When you move the decimal point, how can you know whether you are
increasing or decreasing the number?

2. Explain how the two steps of moving the decimal and multiplying by a
power of 10 leave the value of the original number unchanged.

Lesson 2.3 45
 Writing a Number in Scientific Notation
To write a number less than 1 in scientific notation, move the decimal point
right and use a negative exponent.

Math On the Spot

my.hrw.com Writing Small Quantities in Scientific Notation
When the number is The decimal point
between 0 and 1, use 0.0 7 8 3 = 7.83 × 10 -2 moves 2 places to the
a negative exponent. right.

EXAMPLE 1 COMMON
CORE 8.EE.3

The average size of an atom is about 0.00000003 centimeter across.

Write the average size of an atom in scientific notation.

Move the decimal point as many places as necessary to find a number that is
greater than or equal to 1 and less than 10.

STEP 1 Place the decimal point. 3.0

STEP 2 Count the number of places you moved the decimal point. 8
-8
STEP 3 Multiply 3.0 times a power of 10. 3.0 × 10
Since 0.00000003 is less than 1, you moved the decimal
point to the right and the exponent on 10 is negative.
The average size of an atom in scientific notation is 3.0 × 10-8.

Reflect
3. Critical Thinking When you write a number that is less than 1 in
scientific notation, how does the power of 10 differ from when you

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write a number greater than 1 in scientific notation?

YOUR TURN
Write each number in scientific notation.
4. 0.0000829 5. 0.000000302

6. A typical red blood cell in human blood has a diameter

Personal
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46 Unit 1
 Writing a Number in Standard Notation
To translate between scientific notation and standard notation with very small
numbers, you can move the decimal point the number of places indicated by
the exponent on the power of 10. When the exponent is negative, move the
decimal point to the left. Math On the Spot
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EXAMPL 2
EXAMPLE COMMON
CORE 8.EE.3

Platelets are one component of human blood. A typical platelet has

a diameter of approximately 2.33 × 10-6 meter. Write 2.33 × 10-6 in
standard notation.

STEP 1 Use the exponent of the power of 10 to see 6 places

how many places to move the decimal point.

STEP 2 Place the decimal point. Since you are going to 0.0 0 0 0 0 2 3 3
write a number less than 2.33, move the decimal Math Talk
point to the left. Add placeholder zeros if necessary. Mathematical Practices
Describe the two factors
The number 2.33 × 10-6 in standard notation is 0.00000233. that multiply together to
form a number written in
scientific notation.
Reflect
7. Justify Reasoning Explain whether 0.9 × 10-5 is written in scientific
notation. If not, write the number correctly in scientific notation.

8. Which number is larger, 2 × 10-3 or 3 × 10-2? Explain.

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YOUR TURN
Write each number in standard notation.
9. 1.045 × 10-6 10. 9.9 × 10-5

11. Jeremy measured the length of an ant as 1 × 10-2 meter.

Personal
Write this length in standard notation. Math Trainer
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Lesson 2.3 47
Guided Practice
Write each number in scientific notation. (Explore Activity and Example 1)
1. 0.000487 2. 0.000028
Hint: Move the decimal right 4 places. Hint: Move the decimal right 5 places.

3. 0.000059 4. 0.0417

5. Picoplankton can be as small as 0.00002 6. The average mass of a grain of sand on a

centimeter. beach is about 0.000015 gram.

Write each number in standard notation. (Example 2)

7. 2 × 10-5 8. 3.582 × 10-6
Hint: Move the decimal left 5 places. Hint: Move the decimal left 6 places.

9. 8.3 × 10-4 10. 2.97 × 10-2

11. 9.06 × 10-5 12. 4 × 10-5

13. The average length of a dust mite is approximately 0.0001 meter.

Write this number in scientific notation. (Example 1)

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14. The mass of a proton is about 1.7 × 10-24 gram. Write this number in
standard notation. (Example 2)

?
? ESSENTIAL QUESTION CHECK-IN

15. Describe how to write 0.0000672 in scientific notation.

48 Unit 1
 Name Class Date

2.3 Independent Practice Personal

Math Trainer

COMMON
Online
CORE 8.EE.3 Assessment and
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Use the table for problems 16–21. Write the 23. Multiple Representations Convert the
diameter of the fibers in scientific notation. length 7 centimeters to meters. Compare
the numerical values when both numbers
Average Diameter of Natural Fibers are written in scientific notation.
Animal Fiber Diameter (cm)
Vicuña 0.0008
Angora rabbit 0.0013
Alpaca 0.00277
Angora goat 0.0045
Llama 0.0035
Orb web spider 0.015 24. Draw Conclusions A graphing calculator
displays 1.89 × 1012 as 1.89E12. How do you
think it would display 1.89 × 10-12? What
16. Alpaca
does the E stand for?

17. Angora rabbit

25. Communicate Mathematical Ideas When

18. Llama a number is written in scientific notation,
how can you tell right away whether or not
it is greater than or equal to 1?
19. Angora goat
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20. Orb web spider

26. The volume of a drop of a certain liquid is

21. Vicuña 0.000047 liter. Write the volume of the drop
of liquid in scientific notation.

22. Make a Conjecture Which measurement

would be least likely to be written in scientific 27. Justify Reasoning If you were asked to
notation: the thickness of a dog hair, the express the weight in ounces of a ladybug
radius of a period on this page, the ounces in in scientific notation, would the exponent
a cup of milk? Explain your reasoning. of the 10 be positive or negative? Justify
your response.

Lesson 2.3 49
Physical Science The table shows the length of the radii of several very
small or very large items. Complete the table.

Radius in Meters Radius in Meters

Item (Standard Notation) (Scientific Notation)
28. The Moon 1,740,000

29. Atom of silver 1.25 × 10-10

30. Atlantic wolfish egg 0.0028

31. Jupiter 7.149 × 107

32. Atom of aluminum 0.000000000182

33. Mars 3.397 × 106

34. List the items in the table in order from the smallest to the largest.

FOCUS ON HIGHER ORDER THINKING Work Area

35. Analyze Relationships Write the following diameters from least to greatest.
1.5 × 10-2 m 1.2 × 102 m 5.85 × 10-3 m 2.3 × 10-2 m 9.6 × 10-1 m

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36. Critique Reasoning Jerod’s friend Al had the following
homework problem:
Express 5.6 × 10-7 in standard form.
Al wrote 56,000,000. How can Jerod explain Al’s error and how to
correct it?

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37. Make a Conjecture Two numbers are written in scientific notation.

The number with a positive exponent is divided by the number with a
negative exponent. Describe the result. Explain your answer.

50 Unit 1
 LESSON
Operations with
2.4
COMMON
CORE 8.EE.4
Perform operations … in
scientific notation. …
Scientific Notation choose units of appropriate
size for measurements … .
Interpret scientific notation …
generated by technology.

? ESSENTIAL QUESTION
How do you add, subtract, multiply, and divide using
scientific notation?

Adding and Subtracting with

Scientific Notation
Numbers in scientific notation can be added and subtracted, either directly or
by rewriting them in standard form. Math On the Spot
my.hrw.com

EXAMPL 1
EXAMPLE COMMON
CORE 8.EE.4

The table below shows the population of the three largest countries in
North America in 2011. Find the total population of these countries.

Country United States Canada Mexico

Population 3.1 × 10 8
3.38 × 10 7
1.1 × 108

Method 1:
STEP 1 First, write each population with the same power of 10.
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United States: 3.1 × 108

Canada: 0.338 × 108
Mexico: 1.1 × 108
STEP 2 Add the multipliers for each population.

3.1 + 0.338 + 1.1 = 4.538

STEP 3 Write the final answer in scientific notation: 4.538 × 108.

Method 2:
STEP 1 First, write each number in standard notation.

United States: 310,000,000

Canada: 33,800,000
Mexico: 110,000,000
STEP 2 Find the sum of the numbers in standard notation.

310,000,000 + 33,800,000 + 110,000,000 = 453,800,000

STEP 3 Write the answer in scientific notation: 4.538 × 108.

Lesson 2.4 51
 YOUR TURN
1. Using the population table above, how many more people live in Mexico
Personal than in Canada? Write your answer in scientific notation.
Math Trainer
Online Assessment
and Intervention
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Multiplying and Dividing with

Scientific Notation
Numbers in scientific notation can be multiplied and divided directly by using
Math On the Spot properties of exponents.
my.hrw.com

EXAMPLE 2 Problem COMMON

Solving CORE 8.EE.4

When the Sun makes an orbit around the center of the Milky Way, it travels
2.025 × 1014 kilometers. The orbit takes 225 million years. At what rate
does the Sun travel? Write your answer in scientific notation.

Analyze Information
The answer is the number of kilometers per year that the Sun travels
around the Milky Way.

Formulate a Plan
Distance
Set up a division problem using Rate = _______ to represent the situation.

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Time

Justify and Evaluate

Solve

STEP 1 Substitute the values from the problem into the Rate formula.
Math Talk Rate = 2.025 × 10 kilometers
14
_________________
Mathematical Practices 225,000,000 years
Could you write STEP 2 Write the expression for rate with years in scientific notation.
2.025 × 1014 in standard
× 10 kilometers
14
notation to do the division? Rate = 2.025
_________________ 225 million = 2.25 × 108
Would this be a good way 2.25 × 10 years
8

to solve the problem?

STEP 3 Find the quotient by dividing the decimals and using the laws
of exponents.
2.025 ÷ 2.25 = 0.9 Divide the multipliers.
14
10
____ = 1014 - 8= 106 Divide the powers of 10.
108
STEP 4 Combine the answers to write the rate in scientific notation.
Rate = 0.9 × 106 = 9.0 × 105 km per year

Justify and Evaluate

Check your answer using multiplication.
900,000 × 225,000,000 = 202,500,000,000,000, or 2.025 × 1014.
The answer is correct.
52 Unit 1
 YOUR TURN
2. Light travels at a speed of 1.86 × 105 miles per second. It takes light
Personal
from the Sun about 4.8 × 103 seconds to reach Saturn. Find the Math Trainer
approximate distance from the Sun to Saturn. Write your answer Online Assessment
and Intervention
in scientific notation. my.hrw.com

3. Light travels at the speed of 1.17 × 107 miles per minute. Pluto’s
average distance from the Sun is 3,670,000,000 miles. On average, how
long does it take sunlight to reach Pluto? Write your answer in scientific

notation.

Scientific Notation on a Calculator

On many scientific calculators, you can enter numbers in scientific notation
by using a function labeled “ee” or “EE”. Usually, the letter “E” takes the place of
“×10”. So, the number 4.1 × 109 would appear as 4.1E9 on the calculator.
Math On the Spot
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EXAMPL 3
EXAMPLE COMMON
CORE 8.EE.4

The table shows the approximate areas for three continents given
in square meters. What is the total area of these three continents?
Write the answer in scientific notation using more appropriate units.

Continent Asia Africa Europe

Area (m2) 4.4 × 1013 3.02 × 1013 1.04 × 1013

Find 4.4 × 1013 + 3.02 × 1013 + 1.04 × 1013.

Enter 4.4E13 + 3.02E13 + 1.04E13 on your calculator. Because 1 km = 1,000 m,
1 km2 = 1,0002 m2, or
Write the results from your calculator: 8.46E13.
106 m2. Divide by 106.
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Write this number in scientific notation: 8.46 × 1013 m2.

Square kilometers is more appropriate: 8.46 × 107 km2.

YOUR TURN
Write each number using calculator notation.
4. 7.5 × 105 5. 3 × 10-7 6. 2.7 × 1013

Write each number using scientific notation. Personal

Math Trainer
7. 4.5E-1 8. 5.6E12 9. 6.98E-8 Online Assessment
and Intervention
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Lesson 2.4 53
Guided Practice
Add or subtract. Write your answer in scientific notation. (Example 1)

1. 4.2 × 106 + 2.25 × 105 + 2.8 × 106 2. 8.5 × 103 - 5.3 × 103 - 1.0 × 102

4.2 × 106 + × 10 + 2.8 × 106 8.5 × 103 - 5.3 × 103 - × 10

4.2 + + - -

× 10 × 10

3. 1.25 × 102 + 0.50 × 102 + 3.25 × 102 4. 6.2 × 105 - 2.6 × 104 - 1.9 × 102

Multiply or divide. Write your answer in scientific notation. (Example 2)

5. ( 1.8 × 109 )( 6.7 × 1012 ) 6. 3.46 × 1017

_________
2 × 109

7. ( 5 × 1012 )( 3.38 × 106 ) 8. 8.4 × 1021

________
4.2 × 10
14

Write each number using calculator notation. (Example 3)

9. 3.6 × 1011 10. 7.25 × 10-5 11. 8 × 10-1

Write each number using scientific notation. (Example 3)

12. 7.6E-4 13. 1.2E16 14. 9E1

? © Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company

? ESSENTIAL QUESTION CHECK-IN

15. How do you add, subtract, multiply, and divide numbers written in
scientific notation?

54 Unit 1
 Name Class Date

2.4 Independent Practice Personal

Math Trainer
COMMON Online
CORE 8.EE.4 Assessment and
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16. An adult blue whale can eat 4.0 × 107 krill 20. What is the total amount of paper, glass,
in a day. At that rate, how many krill can an and plastic waste not recovered?
adult blue whale eat in 3.65 × 102 days?

21. Which type of waste has the lowest

17. A newborn baby has about 26,000,000,000 recovery ratio?
cells. An adult has about 4.94 × 1013 cells.
How many times as many cells does an
adult have than a newborn? Write your
answer in scientific notation. Social Studies The table shows the
approximate populations of three countries.

Country China France Australia

Represent Real-World Problems The table Population 1.3 × 10 9
6.48 × 10 2.15 × 107
7

shows the number of tons of waste generated

and recovered (recycled) in 2010. 22. How many more people live in France than
in Australia?

23. The area of Australia is 2.95 × 106 square

miles. What is the approximate average
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number of people per square mile in

Australia?

Paper Glass Plastics

Tons 24. How many times greater is the population
generated 7.131 × 10
7
1.153 × 107 3.104 × 107
of China than the population of France?
Tons Write your answer in standard notation.
recovered 4.457 × 10 0.313 × 10 0.255 × 10
7 7 7

18. What is the total amount of paper, glass,

and plastic waste generated?
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25. Mia is 7.01568 × 106 minutes old. Convert

her age to more appropriate units using
years, months, and days. Assume each
month to have 30.5 days.
19. What is the total amount of paper, glass,
and plastic waste recovered?

Lesson 2.4 55
26. Courtney takes 2.4 × 104 steps during her a long-distance run. Each
step covers an average of 810 mm. What total distance (in mm)
did Courtney cover during her run? Write your answer in scientific
notation. Then convert the distance to the more appropriate unit
kilometers. Write that answer in standard form.

27. Social Studies The U.S. public debt as of October 2010 was $9.06 × 1012.
What was the average U.S. public debt per American if the population in
2010 was 3.08 × 108 people?

FOCUS ON HIGHER ORDER THINKING Work Area

28. Communicate Mathematical Ideas How is multiplying and dividing

numbers in scientific notation different from adding and subtracting
numbers in scientific notation?

29. Explain the Error A student found the product of 8 × 106 and 5 × 109 to
be 4 × 1015. What is the error? What is the correct product?

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30. Communicate Mathematical Ideas Describe a procedure that can be
(___________________
4.87 × 1012 ) - ( 7 × 1010 )
used to simplify ( . Write the expression in scientific
3 × 107 ) + ( 6.1 × 108 )

notation in simplified form.

56 Unit 1
 MODULE QUIZ

Ready Personal
Math Trainer
2.1 Integer Exponents Online Assessment
and Intervention
Find the value of each power. my.hrw.com

1. 3−4 2. 350 3. 44

Use the properties of exponents to write an equivalent expression.

126
4. 83 · 87 5. ___
122
6. (103)5

2.2 Scientific Notation with Positive Powers of 10

Convert each number to scientific notation or standard notation.

7. 2,000 8. 91,007,500
9. 1.0395 × 109 10. 4 × 102

2.3 Scientific Notation with Negative Powers of 10

Convert each number to scientific notation or standard notation.

11. 0.02 12. 0.000701

13. 8.9 × 10-5 14. 4.41 × 10-2

2.4 Operations with Scientific Notation

Perform the operation. Write your answer in scientific notation.

15. 7 × 106 - 5.3 × 106 16. 3.4 × 104 + 7.1 × 105

7.86 × 109
17. (2 × 104 )(5.4 × 106) 18. ________
3 × 104
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19. Neptune’s average distance from the Sun is 4.503 × 109 km. Mercury’s average
distance from the Sun is 5.791 × 107 km. About how many times farther from
the Sun is Neptune than Mercury? Write your answer in scientific notation.

ESSENTIAL QUESTION

20. How is scientific notation used in the real world?

Module 2 57
 MODULE 2 MIXED REVIEW Personal
Math Trainer
Assessment Online
Assessment and
Readiness my.hrw.com Intervention

Selected Response 6. Place the numbers in order from least to

greatest.
1. Which of the following is equivalent to 6–3? 0.24, 4 × 10-2, 0.042, 2 × 10-4, 0.004
A 216 C 1
- ___
216 A 2 × 10-4, 4 × 10-2, 0.004, 0.042, 0.24
1
B ___ D -216
216 B 0.004, 2 × 10-4, 0.042, 4 × 10-2, 0.24

2. About 786,700,000 passengers traveled by C 0.004, 2 × 10-4, 4 × 10-2, 0.042, 0.24

plane in the United States in 2010. What is D 2 × 10-4, 0.004, 4 × 10-2, 0.042, 0.24
this number written in scientific notation?
7. Guillermo is 5 _56 feet tall. What is this
A 7,867 × 105 passengers
number of feet written as a decimal?
B 7.867 × 102 passengers
A 5.7 feet C 5.83 feet
C 7.867 × 108 passengers _ _
B 5.7 feet D 5.83 feet
D 7.867 × 109 passengers
8. A human hair has a width of about
3. In 2011, the population of Mali was about 6.5 × 10-5 meter. What is this width written
1.584 × 107 people. What is this number in standard notation?
written in standard notation?
A 0.00000065 meter
A 1.584 people
B 0.0000065 meter
B 1,584 people
C 0.000065 meter
C 15,840,000 people
D 0.00065 meter
D 158,400,000 people

4. The square root of a number is between Mini-Task

7 and 8. Which could be the number?
9. Consider the following numbers: 7000, 700,

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A 72 C 51 70, 0.7, 0.07, 0.007
B 83 D 66
a. Write the numbers in scientific notation.
5. Each entry-level account executive in a
large company makes an annual salary of
$3.48 × 104. If there are 5.2 × 102 account
executives in the company, how much do
they make in all? b. Look for a pattern in the given list and
the list in scientific notation. Which
A $6.69 × 101 numbers are missing from the lists?
B $3.428 × 104
C $3.532 × 104
c. Make a conjecture about the missing
D $1.8096 × 107 numbers.

58 Unit 1