MATHEMATICS

CHAPTER 2
EXPONENTIATION

2.1 Writing the Exponential Numbers with Integer Exponents

2.2 Multiplication and Division of Exponential Numbers with
Positive Integer Exponents
2.3 Writing the Number in the Form of Scientific Notation
2.4 Real-life Applications of Exponentiations
 Chapter 2
Exponentiation
The world population is expected to be about 9,800,000,000
in 2050. The Bohr radius of a hydrogen atom is estimated
to be about 0.000000000053 m.
As it is troublesome to write very large or very small
numbers in this manner, they can be represented using
scientific notation which involves exponentiation.

Indicator
• Understand and apply the properties of exponentiation with
positive integer exponents to solve mathematical and
real-world problems (MA 1.1 G. 7/2)
Compulsory Details
• Exponential numbers with integer exponents
• Real-life applications of exponentiations

81
 2.1 Writing the Exponential
Numbers with Integer Exponents
We have learned in primary school that possible units for area and volume are cm2
and cm3 respectively. For example, the area of a square with sides 5 cm is 5 cm ×
5 cm = 25 cm2, and the volume of a cube with edges 5 cm is 5 cm × 5 cm × 5 cm
= 125 cm3. 5 × 5 can also be written as 52 (read as ‘5 squared’). Similarly, 5 × 5 × 5
= 53 (read as ‘5 cubed’).
What happens if we have 5 × 5 × 5 × 5? We can write it as 54 (read as ‘5 to the
power of 4’), where 4 is called the exponent and 5 is called the base. 54 is called the
exponential notation of 5 × 5 × 5 × 5.

Worked Example 1
Evaluate each of the following exponential numbers.
K 4 3
E 1) 47 2) -34 3) (-8)5 4) (23) 5) (- 34 ) 6) 0.43
Y
Solution:
1) 47 = 4 × 4 × 4 × 4 × 4 × 4 × 4 ATTENTION
= 16,384 -34 = (-3) × (-3) × (-3) × (-3)
2) -34 = -(3 × 3 × 3 × 3) 4
= 81 û
= -81 -3 = -(3 × 3 × 3 × 3)
= -81 ü
3) (-8)5 = (-8) × (-8) × (-8) × (-8) × (-8)
= -32,768
4
4) (23 ) = 23 × 23 × 23 × 23
= 16
81
3
5) (- 34 ) = (- 34 ) × (- 34 ) × (- 34 )
27
= - 64
6) 0.43 = 0.4 × 0.4 × 0.4
= 0.064

82
 Similar Questions
Practice Now Exercise 2A Question 1
Evaluate each of the following exponential numbers.
1) 93 2) -57
............................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................

............................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................
5
3) (-2)4 4) (12 )
............................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................

............................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................
4
5) (- 23 ) 6) 0.74
............................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................

............................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................

Worked Example 2
Write each of the following in exponential form with the prime number as the base.
1) 16 × 8 2) 81 × 33 3) 42 × 63 4) 27 × 21
Solution:
1) 16 × 8 2) 81 × 33
= (2 × 2 × 2 × 2) × (2 × 2 × 2) = (3 × 3 × 3 × 3) × (3 × 3 × 3)
= 2×2×2×2×2×2×2 = 3×3×3×3×3×3×3
= 27 = 37
3) 42 × 63 4) 27 × 21
= (4 × 4) × (6 × 6 × 6) = (3 × 3 × 3) × (3 × 7)
= (2 × 2 × 2 × 2) × (2 × 3 × 2 × 3 × 2 × 3) = 3×3×3×3×7
= 2×2×2×2×2×3×2×3×2×3 = 34 × 7
= 27 × 33

83
 Similar Questions
Practice Now Exercise 2A Questions 2 - 3
Write each of the following in exponential form with the prime number as the base.
1) 4 × 32 2) 125 × 52
............................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................

............................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................

............................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................

............................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................

3) 33 × 18 4) 82 × 62
............................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................

............................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................

............................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................

............................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................

K
E
Y Exercise 2A
Basic Level
1. Evaluate each of the following exponential numbers.
1) 87 2) -44
............................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................

............................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................
2
3) (-7)6 4) (58)
............................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................

............................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................
3
5) (- 27) 6) 0.45
............................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................

............................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................

84
2. Write each of the following in exponential form with the prime number as the base.
1) 34 × 34 2) 49 × 343
............................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................

............................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................

............................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................

3) 53 × 625 4) 256 × 128

............................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................

............................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................

............................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................

Intermediate Level
3. Write each of the following in exponential form with the prime number as the base.
1) 102 × 5 2) 83 × 12
............................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................

............................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................

............................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................

............................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................

............................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................

............................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................

3) 62 × 84 4) 92 × 362 × 4
............................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................

............................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................

............................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................

............................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................

............................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................

............................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................

85
 2.2 Multiplication and Division of Exponential
Numbers with Positive Integer Exponents

Investigation
JUST FOR FUN

10100100 is called a100googol, while

Complete the following. 1010 , i.e. (10(10 )), is called a
1. 72 × 73 = (7 × 7) × ( ) googolplex. Hence, a googolplex
has one googol (or 10100) zeros. If
= 7×7×…×7 one page of newspaper can print
5 times 30,000 digits, you will need at least
= 7 = 72 + 1095 pages of newspaper. However,
the whole universe is estimated to
2. 62 × 64 = (____ ) × ( _______ ) contain about 1078 to 1082 atoms,
= 6×6×…×6 so it is not possible to print out all
_ times the zeros of a googolplex. If you
think a googolplex is a very large
= 6 = 62 + number, search on the Internet for
E “Graham’s number”, which is so
3. If a is a rational number, then
much larger than the googolplex
a3 × a4 = (a × a × a) × ( ________ ) that a new notation has to be used
= a×a×a×…×a to represent it.
_ times
= a = a3 +
4. If a is a rational number and m, n are positive integers, then
am × an = (a × a × a × … × a) × (a × a × a × … × a)
m times times
= a×a×a×…×a
m+ times
= am +
In general, if a is a rational number, and m and n are positive integers, then
Law 1 of Exponents: am × an = am + n
86
 Worked Example 3
Simplify each of the following, leaving your answer in exponential form where appropriate.
1) 58 × 59
2) (-2)3 × (-2)
3) 6b3c5 × 2bc4 given that b, c are rational numbers
Solution:
1) 58 × 59 = 58 + 9 (Law 1)
= 517
2) (-2)3 × (-2) = (-2)3 + 1 (Law 1)
= (-2)4
3) 6b3c5 × 2bc4 = 12b3 + 1 c5 + 4 (Law 1)
= 12b4c9
K
E
Similar Questions Y
Practice Now Exercise 2B Questions 1, 7(1)-(3)
Simplify each of the following if a, x and y are rational numbers.
1) 47 × 45 2) (-3)6 × (-3)
............................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................

............................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................

............................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................

............................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................

3) a12 × a8 4) 2xy4 × 3x5y3

............................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................

............................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................

............................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................

............................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................

87
 Investigation
Fill in the blanks, given that a is a rational number (a 0) and m, n are positive integers
and that m > n.
1. 35 ÷ 32 = 3 × 3 × 3 × 3 × 3
= 3
= 35 -
6
2. 104 =
10
= 10
= 106 -
3. a7 ÷ a3 = a × a × a × a × a × a × a
= a
= a7 -
m times
4. am ÷ an = a ×a a× ×a a× ×a … × a × a
× ... × a

times
= a×a×a×…×a
m- times
= am -
In general, if a is a rational number, and m and n are positive integers such that
m > n, then
Law 2 of Exponents: am ÷ an = am - n

88
 Worked Example 4
Simplify each of the following, leaving your answer in exponential form where appropriate,
when b, c are rational numbers (b, c 0).
1) 78 ÷ 73 2) (-5)6 ÷ (-5) 3) 12b6c3 ÷ 6b4c2
Solution:
1) 78 ÷ 73 = 78 - 3 (Law 2)
5
= 7
2) (-5)6 ÷ (-5) = (-5)6 - 1 (Law 2)
= (-5)5
6 3
3) 12b6c3 ÷ 6b4c2 = 12b4 c2
6b c
= 2b6 - 4 c3 - 2 (Law 2)
= 2b2 c
Similar Questions
Practice Now Exercise 2B Questions 2, 7(4)-(6)
Simplify each of the following, leaving your answer in exponential form where appropriate,
when a, x and y are rational numbers (a, x and y 0)
1) 97 ÷ 93 2) (-4)8 ÷ (-4)
............................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................

............................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................

............................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................

............................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................

3) a10 ÷ a6 4) 27x9y4 ÷ 9x6y3

............................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................

............................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................

............................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................

............................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................

89
 Investigation
Complete the following.
1. (25)2 = 25 × 25
= 25 + (Law 1)
= 25 ×
2. (104)3 = 104 × 104 × 104
= 104 + + (Law 1)
= 104 ×
3. If a is a rational number and m, n are positive integers, then
(am)n = (am × am × am × … × am)
n times
times
= am + m + m + … + m
= am ×

In general, if a is a rational number, and m and n are positive integers, then

Law 3 of Exponents: (am)n = amn

Worked Example 5
Simplify each of the following, leaving your answer in exponential form where appropriate.
1) (57)3
2) (h8)2 when h is a rational number
3) (7p)4 × (72)p when p is a positive integer
4) (b3)a × (ba)5 when b is a rational number and a is a positive integer
90
Solution:
1) (57)3 = 57 × 3 (Law 3) 2) (h8)2 = h8 × 2 (Law 3)
= 521 = h16
3) (7p)4 × (72)p = 7p × 4 × 72 × p (Law 3) 4) (b3)a × (ba)5 = b3 × a × ba × 5 (Law 3)
= 74p × 72p = b3a × b5a
= 74p + 2p (Law 1) = b3a + 5a (Law 1)
= 76p = b8a
Similar Questions
Practice Now Exercise 2B Questions 3(1)-(2), 8(1)-(2)
Simplify each of the following, leaving your answer in exponential form where appropriate,
when k is a rational number and m, q are positive integers.
1) (63)4
..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

2) (k5)9
..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

3) (3q)6 × (34)q
..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

4) (5m)3 × (52)m
..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

91
 Investigation
Complete the following.
1. 23 × 73 = (2 × 2 × 2) × ( )
= (2 × 7) × (2 × 7) × (2 × )
= (2 × )3
2. (-3)2 × (-4)2 = (-3) × (-3) × ×
= [(-3) × (-4)] × [(-3) × ]
= [(-3) × ]
3. If a, b are rational numbers and n is a positive integer, then
an × bn = (a × a × a × … × a) × (b × b × b × … × b)
n times times
= (a × b) × (a × b) × (a × b) × … × (a × b)
times
= (a × b)
In general, if a and b are rational numbers, and k, m and n are positive integers, then
Law 4 of Exponents: an × bn = (a × b)n
Another useful version of Law 4 of Exponents can be written as (a × b)n = (an) × (bn) or
(ab)n = anbn. Applying what we have learned from Law 3 and Law 4, we get
Law 5 of Exponents: (am × bn)k = am × k × bn × k

Worked Example 6
Simplify each of the following, leaving your answer in exponential form where appropriate,
when h, x and y are rational numbers and x, y 0.
1) 24 × 74 2) (23 × h2)6
3) (xy2)3 × (-3x2y)4 4) (4x2y3)3 ÷ (xy3)2
92
Solution:
1) 24 × 74 = (2 × 7)4 (Law 4)
= 144
2) (23 × h2)6 = (23)6 × (h2)6 (Law 5)
= 23 6 h2 6
× ×
(Law 3)
= 218 h12
3) (xy2)3 × (-3x2y)4 = x3y2 3 × (-3)4x2 4y4
× ×
(Law 5)
= x3y6 × 81x8y4
= 81x3 + 8 y6 + 4 (Law 1)
= 81x11 y10
4) (4x2y3)3 ÷ (xy3)2 = 43x2 3 y3 3 ÷ x2 y3 2
× × ×
(Law 5)
= 64x6 y9 ÷ x2 y6
= 64x6 - 2 y9 - 6 (Law 2)
= 64x4 y3
Similar Questions
Practice Now Exercise 2B Questions 3(3)-(6), 8(3)-(6), 9, 11-12
1. Simplify each of the following, leaving your answer in exponential form where
appropriate.
1) 37 × 87
...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

2) (52 × b4)3, given that b is a rational number

...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

93
3) (-2c2d 5)5, given that c, d are rational numbers
...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

4) (m2n)4 × (m4n3)5, given that m, n are rational numbers

...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

5) (-p7q5)2 ÷ (3p3q2)3, given that p, q are rational numbers and ≠ 0

...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
2. If x8 × (x3)n ÷ (xn)2 = x10, find n.
...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Class Discussion
Work in pairs.
There are two methods of simplifying (xy2)4 × (3x2y)4, given that x, y are rational numbers.
Explain these two methods using the laws of exponents.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

94
 Investigation
Complete the following.
3
1. 83 ÷ 53 = 83
5
= 8 × 8 × 8
× × __
= 8 × 8 × 8
3
8
= ( )
4
2. (-12)4 ÷ (-7)4 = (-12)4
(-7)
= (-12) × (-12) × (-12) × (-12)
× × ×
= (-12) ×
(-12) ×
(-12 ×
(-12)
4
= [ (-12) ]

3. If a, b are rational numbers, where b 0 and n is a positive integer, then

n times
an ÷ bn = a×a×a×…×a
× × × ... ×

n times
= a × a × a × …× a
times
a n
= ( )
In general, if a and b are rational numbers, where b 0, and k, m and n are positive
integers, then
n
Law 6 of Exponents: an ÷ bn = ( ab )

95
 n n
Another useful version of Law 6 of Exponents can be written as ( ab ) = an if b 0.
b
Applying what we have learned from Law 3 and Law 6, we get
m×k
Law 7 of Exponents: (am ÷ bn)k = a n × k
b

Worked Example 7
Simplify each of the following, leaving your answer in exponential form where appropriate,
when b, p and q are rational numbers and 0.
5
1) 108 ÷ 28 2) (2b)
2 4 3
3) (73 ÷ 56)4 4) (2p3 ) ÷ 8p16
q q
Solution:
8
1) 108 ÷ 28 = (102) (Law 6)
= 58
2) ( 2b )
5
= 25 (Law 6)
b5
= 32
b5
3) (73 ÷ 56)4 = 73 × 4 (Law 7)
56 × 4
= 712
524
2 4 3 4 2×4 16
4) (2p3 ) ÷ 8p16 = 2 p3 × 4 × q 3 (Laws 5 and 7)
q q q 8p
8 16
= 16p12 × q 3
q 8p
= 2p8 - 3 q16 - 12 (Law 2)
= 2p5 q4
96
 Practice Now Similar Questions
Exercise 2B Questions 4, 10
Simplify each of the following, leaving your answer in exponential form where appropriate,
when a, b, c, p, q and x are rational numbers and 0.
1) 213 ÷ 73 2) (92 ÷ 73)5
............................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................

............................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................

............................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................

............................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................

............................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................

............................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................

23 7
3) (265)3 ÷ 1315 4) ( pq ) ÷ q5
p
............................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................

............................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................

............................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................

............................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................

............................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................

............................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................

2 3 27x7 35 3 3
3 x
5) ( x3 ) ÷ x21 6) (2a 4) 2 ÷ ( ac5 )
(6bc ) 3b

97
 Journal Writing
23
Nora and Farhan were asked to simplify (2yx ) , when x, y are rational numbers and y 0.
Nora wrote this: 2x2 3 = 2x6
(y) y3
Farhan wrote this: 2x2 3 = 8x6
(y) y
Both Nora and Farhan obtained the wrong solutions.
1) Highlight the possible misconceptions that Nora and Farhan might have.
2) Provide the correct solution.

Class Discussion
Work in pairs.
n n
We have learned that (a × b)n = an × bn and ( ab ) = an , when a, b are rational numbers
b
and b 0, and n is a positive integer.
Is it true that (a + b)n = an + bn ?
How about (a - b)n = an - bn ?
Discuss with your classmates. Provide some counterexamples if necessary.
...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

98
 Investigation
34 means 3 multiplied by itself 4 times, i.e. 3 × 3 × 3 × 3 = 81. What does 30 mean?
1. Fill in the values of 32 and 31 in the table below.
Exponential Form Value
34 81 ÷ 3
33 27 ÷ 3
32 ÷ 3
31 ÷ 3
30
2. What number must you divide 81 (i.e. 34) to get 27 (i.e. 33)?
....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

3. What number must you divide 27 (i.e. 33) to get 32?

....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

4. What number must you divide 32 to get 31?

....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

5. (1) By continuing this pattern, what number must you divide 31 to get the value of 30?
....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

(2) Complete the last row in the table above.

6. Complete the table below.
Exponential Form Value
(-2)4 16 ÷ (-2)
(-2)3 -8 ÷ (-2)
(-2)2 ÷ (-2)
(-2)1 ÷ (-2)
0
(-2)
7. Does the pattern work for 04, 03, 02, 01 and 00? Explain you answer.
No. Any number which is divided by zero is undefined.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

99
Since 53 ÷ 53 = 55 ×× 55 ×× 55
= 1
and using the second law of exponents,
53 ÷ 53 = 53 - 3
= 50
Therefore, 50 = 1.
Given that a is a rational number and a 0.
Since a4 ÷ a4 = aa ×× aa ×× aa ×× aa
= 1
and using the second law of exponents,
a4 ÷ a4 = a4 - 4
= a0
Therefore, a0 = 1.
For the second law of exponents to apply for m = n, we define a0 = 1, where a is
a rational number and a 0.
Definition: a0 = 1 if a 0

Worked Example 8
Simplify each of the following, leaving your answer in exponential form where appropriate,
when x is a rational number and x 0.
1) 1210 2) 2x0 3) (2x)0
Solution:
1) 1210 = 1
2) 2x0 = 2×1
= 2
3) (2x)0 = 1

100
 Similar Questions
Practice Now Exercise 2B Questions 5 - 6
1. Find the value of each of the following, where y is a rational number and 0.
1) 2,0150 ................................................................................... 2) (-7)0 ....................................................................................

3) 3y0 ................................................................................. 4) (3y)0 ....................................................................................

2. Find the value of each of the following.

1) 30 × 33 ÷ 32 .................................................................. 2) 30 + 32 ........................................................................................

Thinking Time
Is -50 = (-5)0? Explain your answer.
...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Given that a is a rational number and 0.

Since a4 ÷ a7 = a × a ×a ×a ×a ×a ×a ×a ×a a × a = 13
a
and using the second law of exponents,
a4 ÷ a7 = a4 - 7 = a-3
Therefore, a-3 = 13 .
a
For the second law of exponents to apply for negative exponents, if m < n,
we define a-n = 1n where a is a rational number and a 0.
a
Definition: a-n = 1n if a 0
a

101
Exercise 2B
Basic Level
1. Simplify the following, where x, y are rational numbers.
1) 23 × 27 ............................................................................. 2) (-4)6 × (-4)5 .....................................................................
3) x8 × x3 ............................................................................. 4) (3y2) × (8y7) .....................................................................
2. Simplify the following, where x, y are rational numbers and 0.
1) 58 ÷ 55 ............................................................................. 2) (-7)11 ÷ (-7)4 .....................................................................
3) 6x7 ÷ x3 ............................................................................. 4) (-15y9) ÷ 5y4 .....................................................................
3. Simplify the following, where a, b are rational numbers.
1) (92)4 25
............................................................................. 2) (a ) .............................................................................

3) (37 × b2)2 ............................................................................. 4) 314 × (52)7 .............................................................................

5) (3a4b7)5 ............................................................................. 6) (-3a6b2)4 .............................................................................
4. Simplify the following, leaving the answer in exponential form with positive integer,
where a, b are rational numbers and b 0.
1) 1413 ÷ 713 ............................................................................. 2) (24 ÷ 73)4 .............................................................................
3) (2a )
5 a4 6
............................................................................. 4) ( ) .............................................................................
b
4
5) (- a2 ) 54
............................................................................. 6) (9 ) ÷ 3
20
.............................................................................
b
5. Simplify the following, where a, b are rational numbers and 0.
0
1) 170 ............................................................................. 2) (- 2 ) ..............................................................................
7
3) 4a0 ............................................................................. 4) -8b
0
..............................................................................

5) (72ab2)0 ............................................................................. 6) 7(b8)0 ..............................................................................

6. Find the value of each of the following.

1) 20 × 24 ............................................................................. 2) 72 × 70 ÷ 7 ....................................................................
3) 80 - 82 ............................................................................. 4) 63 + 60 - 6 ....................................................................
102
 Intermediate Level
7. Simplify the following, where a, b are rational numbers and 0.
1) a2b × a11b9 .......................................................... 2) (-a7b3) × 4a11b9 ......................................................

3) 11a6b7 × 2a3b10 .......................................................... 4) a9b6 ÷ a5b4 ......................................................

5) 15a8b7 ÷ 3a2b .......................................................... 6) (-10a5b6) ÷ (-2ab3) ......................................................

8. Simplify the following, where a, b are rational numbers and 0.

1) (a2)3 × a5 ............................................................... 2) (b3)7 × (b4)5 ..................................................................

3) (a6)5 ÷ (-a2) ............................................................... 4) (-3b3)2 ÷ (2b)3 ..................................................................

5) (a3)5 ÷ (-a2)4 ............................................................... 6) (4b6)3 ÷ (-2b3)3 ..................................................................

9. Simplify the following, leaving the answer in exponential form with positive integer,
where a, b, c and d are rational numbers and 0.
1) (ab2)3 × (2a2b)3 .................................................. 2) c2d 2 × (-5c3d 3)2 .........................................................

3) (-3a2b3)4 × (-2a5b) .................................................. 4) (8c5d 3)2 ÷ (c3d )3 .........................................................

5) (4a3b)2 ÷ (2ab3)4 .................................................. 6) 16c8d 7 ÷ (-2c3a2)3 .........................................................

10. Simplify the following, leaving the answer in exponential form with positive integer,
where a, b, c and d are rational numbers and 0.
3 2
2a 2
a 2
c 3 c
1) ( b ) × ( 2 ) ......................................................... 2) ( 2 ) × ( 2d ) ............................................................
b d
3 2 2 3 4 9
3) ( a 2) × ( 3ab ) ......................................................... 4) (3c2 ) ÷ ( 27c11 ) ............................................................
3b d d
4 2 3
5) ( a 3) ÷ ( 5ba c ÷ -3c5 3 ............................................................
2 6
25b ) ............................................................ 6) ( d 3 ) ( 2d 2 )

103
 Advanced Level
11. Simplify the following, leaving the answer in exponential form with positive integer,
where x, y are rational numbers and 0.
2 3 43
1) (2x y)3 2 × (54xxyy)
(10xy )
..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

8 4 2 22
2) 8x y2 2 × (4x y 2)
(2xy ) (3xy)
..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

3) (2xy2)5
(4x2y)2(xy3)
..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

2 4 4 2
4) 4x y ×2 28x2 y
(4x y )
..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

104
 3 44 2 2
12. Given that a, b, p and q are rational numbers, where p, q 0. If (2p q5 )2 ÷ (4p9q)
a+b (-3q )
= a - b form a pair of simultaneous equations in a and b and hence find the value
p
q
of a and of b.

105
 2.3 Writing the Number in the
Form of Scientific Notation
Class Discussion
Work in pairs. Fill in the blanks.
No. Subject Ordinary Notation Scientific Notation

1) Thailand’s population 69,100,000 6.91 × 107

in 2017
2) Distance between 149,600,000 km 1.496 × 108 km
Earth and the sun
3) Mass of a dust particle 0.000000000753 kg 7.53 × 10-10 kg
4) Mass of an 0.000000000000000000000000002656 2.656 × 10-27 kg
oxygen atom kg
5) Number of grains of
sand in a bag 29,000 2.9 × 10 4
6) Speed of light 300,000,000 m/s 3 × 10 8 m/s
7) Wavelength of
violet light 0.000038 cm 3.8 × 10 -5 cm

8) Mass of a water
molecule 0.0000000000000000000000299 g 2.99 × 10 -23 g

1. The examples in 1)-2) involve very large numbers. What do you observe about
the powers of 10 in each scientific notation?
...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

2. The examples in 3)-4) involve very small numbers. What do you observe about
the powers of 10 in each scientific notation?
...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

106
The table below shows numbers expressed in scientific notation and numbers not
expressed in scientific notation.
No. Scientific Notation Not Scientific Notation
1) 4.5 × 104 45 × 103
2) 2.06 × 108 0.206 × 105
3) 3.71 × 1021 3.71 × 1021.2
1
4) 8.00 × 10-3 8.00 × 10-32
5) 9.25 × 10-10 9.25 × 10-1.01
6) 1.0 × 10-16 10 × 10-17

3. For a number in the form A × 10n to be considered as scientific notation, what can
you say about A and n? Explain your answer.
...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

The world population, estimated to be about 9,800,000,000 in 2050, can be written as

9.8 × 109. The Bohr radius of a hydrogen atom is 0.000000000053 m, which can be
written as 5.3 × 10-11 m.
Both 9.8 × 109 and 5.3 × 10-11 are examples of numbers expressed in scientific notation.
In general, a number is said to be expressed in standard form, or scientific notation,
when it is written as

A × 10n, where 1 ≤ A < 10 and n is an integer.

107
 Worked Example 9
Express each of the following numbers in scientific notation.
1) 149,600,000 2) 0.000038
Solution:
1) 149,600,000 = 1.496 × 108 (move the decimal point 8 places to the left)
2) 0.000038 = 3.8 × 10-5 (move the decimal point 5 places to the right)

Similar Questions
Practice Now Exercise 2C Questions 1 - 2
1. Express each of the following numbers in scientific notation.
1) 5,300,000 2) 600,000,000
5,300,000 =
.............................................................................................................
600,000,000 =
.............................................................................................................

............................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................

............................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................

3) 0.000048 4) 0.00000000021
0.000048 =
.............................................................................................................
0.00000000021 =
.............................................................................................................

............................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................

............................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................

2. Express each of the following as an integer or a decimal.

1) 1.325 × 106 2) 4.4 × 10-3
............................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................

............................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................

............................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................

108
Exercise 2C
Basic Level
1. Express each of the following numbers in scientific notation.
1) 85,300

...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

2) 52,700,000

...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

3) 0.00023

...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

4) 0.000000094

...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

2. Express each of the following as an integer or a decimal.

1) 9.6 × 103
...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

2) 4 × 105
...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

3) 2.8 × 10-4
...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

4) 1 × 10-6
...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

109
 2.4 Real-life Applications
of Exponentiations
Have you used an external hard disk with a capacity of 512 gigabytes? Have you used
a micrometer in the laboratory?
Prefixes are commonly used in our daily lives to denote certain powers of 10. They are
related to the special names in the SI system of units. The table below lists some of
the common prefixes and their symbols used for very large and very small numbers.
Power of 10 Name SI Prefix Symbol Place Value
1012 trillion tera- T 1,000,000,000,000
109 billion giga- G 1,000,000,000
106 million mega- M 1,000,000
103 thousand kilo- k 1,000
10-3 thousandth milli- m 1
0.001 = 1,000
10-6 millionth micro- 1
0.000001 = 1,000,000
10-9 billionth nano- n 1
0.000000001 = 1,000,000,000
10-12 trillionth pico- p 1
0.000000000001 = 1,000,000,000,000

Hence, 8.2 × 109 is read as 8.2 billion. How do you read 3.7 × 1012?
5.6 × 10-6 is read as 5.6 millionth. How do you read 4.9 × 10-9?

110
The figure below shows a range of prefixes used in our daily live.

INFORMATION

The height of a man is about 1.65 m. Do you know that one billion
100 is not always 10-9 or one
thousand million? In the
‘long scale’ used by most
10-1 European countries
(including the UK) in most
of the 19th and 20th centuries,
10-2 one billion means 1012 or
one million million. In 1974,
the UK switched to the
10-3 The head of a pin is about 2 × 10-3 m or ‘short scale’, one billion is
2 mm (millimeter) in diameter. 109 or one thousand million.
The typical dust mite is about Search on the Internet for
10-4 ‘long and shot scales’ to
4 × 10-4 m long. K
find out more. E
Y
10-5

10-6 A red blood cell is about 6 × 10-6 m or

6 m (micrometer) wide.
10-7

10-8

10-9 The width of a strand of DNA is about

3.4 × 10-9 m or 3.4 nm (nanometer).
10-10 The diameter of a hydrogen atom is
about 1 × 10-10 m.

111
 Worked Example 10
For each of the following, give your answer in scientific notation.
1) A male African elephant can weigh as heavy as 7,000 kilograms. Express this weight
in grams.
2) The average lifespan of a certain molecule is 0.5 nanoseconds. Given that
1 nanosecond = 10-9 seconds, express this time in seconds.
Solution:
1) 7,000 kilograms = 7,000 × 103 grams
= 7 × 103 × 103 grams
= 7 × 103 + 3 grams
= 7 × 106 grams
Therefore, a male African elephant that weighs 7,000 kilograms will weigh 7 × 106
grams.
2) 0.5 nanoseconds = 0.5 × 10-9 seconds
-1 -9
= 5 × 10 × 10 seconds
= 5 × 10(-1) + (-9) seconds
= 5 × 10-10 seconds
Therefore, 0.5 nanosecond is equal to 5 × 10-10 second.

Practice Now Similar Questions

Exercise 2D Questions 1 - 3
For each of the following, give your answer in scientific notation.
1) The diameter of a human hair is 25.4 micrometers.
Given that 1 micrometer = 10-6 meters, express this diameter in meters.
1 micrometer = 10-6 meters
...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

25.4 micrometers = 25.4 × 10-6 meters

...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

= 2.54 × 10-5 meters

...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Therefore, 25.4 micrometers of a human hair’s diameter is equal to 2.54 × 10-5 in meters.
...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
112
2) A rain gauge measures rainfall over a period of time. The average annual rainfall
in Thailand is 1,570 millimeters. Express this measurement in centimeters.
10 millimeters = 1 centimeter
...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

1,570 millimeters = 101 × 1,570 centimeters

...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

= 157 centimeters
...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

= 1.57 × 102 centimeters

...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Therefore, 1,570 millimeters of the average annual rainfall in Thailand is equal to 1.57 × 102
...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

centimeters.
...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

3) An external hard drive has a capacity of 4.0 terabytes.

Given that 1 terabyte = 1012 bytes, express this capacity in bytes.
1 terabyte = 1012 bytes
...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

4.0 terabytes = 4.0 × 1012 bytes

...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Therefore, the capacity of 4.0 terabytes of this external hard drive is equal to 4.0 × 1012
...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

bytes.
...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Performance Task
If you are buying 1 thumbdrive with a capacity of 1 gigabyte (1 GB), are you getting
exactly 1 billion bytes of computer space? Search on the Internet to find out how many
bytes 1 GB is actually equal to. Why is it not possible for the manufacturer to produce
a thumbdrive with exactly 1 billion bytes?
Hint: How does the number 2 in 230 play a part here?
Search on the Internet to find out why computer storage systems always come in the
form of 128 MB, 256 MB, 512 MB and so on. Present your findings to your class.

113
 Worked Example 11
With the use of calculator, find the value of each of the following, giving your answer
in scientific notation, correct to 3 significant figures.
-3 3 2
1) (7.2 × 103) × (2 × 1015) 2) 4.5 × 10-1 3) 2.58 × 10 - 4.19 × 10
9 × 10 3 × 10-9
Solution:
ATTENTION
3
1) (7.2 × 10 ) × (2 × 10 ) 15
The buttons on calculators vary
= ( 7 . 2 × 10 ∧ 3 ) with each model. Refer to the
× ( 2 × 10 ∧ 1 5 ) = manual of your calculator.
= 1.44 × 1019 ATTENTION

-3 To use a calculator to find the

2) 4.5 × 10-1 product of exponent with base
9 × 10
10, it can be done by pressing
= ( 4 . 5 × 10 ∧ - 3 ) ÷ ( 9 SHIFT + 10x and its exponent.
× 10 ∧ - 1 ) =

= 5.00 × 10-3
3 2
3) 2.58 × 10 - 4.19 × 10
3 × 10-9
= ( 2 . 5 8 × 10 ∧ 3 - 4 . 1 9
× 10 ∧ 2 ) ÷ ( 3 × 10 ∧ - 9 ) =

≈ 7.20 × 10
11
Similar Questions
Practice Now Exercise 2D Question 4
With the use of a calculator, find the value of each of the following, giving your answer
in scientific notation, correct to 3 significant figures.
-5
1) (4.2 × 10-4) × (2.6 × 102) 2) 3.5 × 10 8
1.4 × 10
= ( 4 . 2 10 - 4 ) × ∧
.............................................................................................................. = ( 3 . 5 10 - 5 ) × ∧
..............................................................................................................
× ( 2 . 6 × 10 ∧ 2 ) = ÷ ( 1 . 4 × 10 ∧ 8 ) =
.............................................................................................................. ..............................................................................................................
= 0.1092
.............................................................................................................. = 2.50 10-13 ×
..............................................................................................................
= 1.09 × 10-1
.............................................................................................................. ..............................................................................................................

114
 -3 -4
3) 1.14 × 105 + 4.56 × 104 4) 2.37 × 10 + 3.255 × 10
4.1 × 10
= 1 . 1 4 10 5 × ∧
.............................................................................................................. = ( 2 . 3 7 10 - 3 × ∧
..............................................................................................................
+ 4 . 5 6 × 10 ∧ 4 =
..............................................................................................................
+ 3 . 2 5 × 10 ∧ - 4 )
..............................................................................................................

= 159,600 ÷ ( 4 . 1 × 10 ∧ 5 ) =
.............................................................................................................. ..............................................................................................................
5 6.57 10-9
≈ 1.60 × 10
.............................................................................................................. ≈ ×
..............................................................................................................

Worked Example 12
The approximate mass of the moon is 7 × 1019 tons while the mass of the earth is
approximately 6 × 1024 tons. Calculate the number of times that the earth is as heavy
as the moon, giving your answer correct to the nearest 1,000.
Solution:
24
Number of times the earth is as heavy as the moon = 6 × 1019
7 × 10
= 67 × 1024 - 19
= 67 × 105
≈ 86,000

Therefore, the number of time that the earth is as heavy as the moon 86,000.
Similar Questions
Practice Now Exercise 2D Questions 5 - 9

A Secure Digital (SD) memory card has a capacity of 512 megabytes. Each photograph
has a size of 640 kilobytes. Assuming that 1 MB = 106 bytes and 1 kB = 103 bytes,
how many photographs can this memory card store?
1 MB = 106 bytes
..............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

512 MB = 512 × 106 bytes

..............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

= 5.12 × 108 bytes

..............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
8
Number of photographs that can be stored = 5.12 × 103
..............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
640 × 10
= 800.
..............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

115
 Thinking Time
Fill in the blanks to the convert between ordinary notation and scientific notation.
1. The distance of the planet Mercury from the sun is about 57,910,000 km
5.791 × 107 km) while the distance of Pluto from the sun is about
(…………….
5.9459 × 10 9 km).
5,945,900,000 km (…………….
2. The moon travels around the earth at a speed of about 3,683,000 m/h
3.683 × 10 3 km/h).
(…………….
3. If the diameter of an air molecule is about 0.0000000004 m (………. 4 × 10-10 m)
26
and there are 500,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 (………. 5 × 10 ) molecules in a
1.68 × 10 -2 m3).
room, then the total volume of the air molecules in the room is (……….
1 × 10 14 ) cells in the human body. The human
4. There are about 100 trillion (……….
2,000 million (2 × 109) cells and beats about 42,000,000
heart contains about …………….
4.2 × 10 7 ) times each year.
(……….

Exercise 2D
Basic Level
1. Microwaves are a form of electromagnetic radiation with frequencies between
300,000,000 Hz and 300 GHz. Giving your answer in scientific notation, express
the following as a given unit.
1) 300,000,000 Hz in MHz (1 MHz = 106 Hz)
...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

2) 300 GHz in MHz (1 GHz = 109 Hz)

...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

116
 Intermediate Level
2. Find the value of each of the following.
1) A nitrogen atom has an atomic radius of a picometers (pm), where a = 75 and
1 pm = 10-12 m. Express this radius in meters. Give your answer in scientific notation.
a pm = 75 10-12 m = 7.5 10-11 m× ×
...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

2) An oxygen atom has an atomic radius of b nanometers (nm), where b = 0.073 and
1 nm = 10-9 m. Express this radius in meters. Give your answer in scientific notation.
b nm = 0.073 10-9 m = 7.3 10-11 m × ×
...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

3) Express a : b as a ratio of two integers in its simplest form.

a : b = 7.5 10-11 : 7.3 10-11 = 7.5 : 7.3
× ×
...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

3. The mean distance from the earth to the sun is c megameters (Mm), where
c = 1,500 and 1 Mm = 106 m. The mean distance from Pluto to the sun is d
tetrameters (Tm), where d = 5.91 and 1 Tm = 1012 m. Express d as a percentage
of c. Give your answer in scientific notation.
...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

4. With the use of a calculator, find the value of each of the following, giving your
answer in scientific notation, correct to 3 significant figures.
1) (2.34 × 105) × (7.12 × 10-4) 2) (13.4 × 104) ÷ (4 × 105)
.............................................................................................................. ..............................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................. ..............................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................. ..............................................................................................................

............................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................

............................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................

117
3) 2.54 × 103 + 3.11 × 104 4) 6 × 105 - 3.1 × 103
= 2 . 5 4 10 3 × ∧
.............................................................................................................. = 6 × 10 ∧ 5 - 3 . 1
..............................................................................................................
+ 3 . 1 1 × 10 ∧ 4 =
..............................................................................................................
× 10 ∧ 3 =
..............................................................................................................
= 33,640
.............................................................................................................. = 596,900
..............................................................................................................
≈ 3.36 × 10
4 5
............................................................................................................. ≈ 5.97 × 10
.............................................................................................................

............................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................

-4 -5
5) 4.37 × 10 + 2.16 × 10 6) 2.4 × 10-10
3 × 10-3 7.2 × 10-6 - 3.5 × 10-8
= ( 4 . 3 7 10 - 4 × ∧
.............................................................................................................. = ( 2 . 4 10 - 10 ) × ∧
..............................................................................................................
+ 2 . 1 6 × 10 ∧ - 5 )
..............................................................................................................
÷ ( 7 . 2 × 10 ∧ - 6
..............................................................................................................
÷ ( 3 × 10 ∧ - 3 ) = - 3 . 5 × 10 ∧ - 8 ) =
.............................................................................................................. ..............................................................................................................
≈ 0.153
............................................................................................................. ≈ 3.35 10-5 ×
.............................................................................................................
-1
≈ 1.53 × 10
............................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................

5. Given that P = 7.5 × 103 and Q = 5.25 × 104, find the value of each of the following,
giving your answer in scientific notation.
= 2(7.5 × 103) × 4(5.25 × 104) = 3.15 × 109
1) 2P × 4Q ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................
= (5.25 × 104) - (7.5 × 103) = 4.5 × 104
2) Q - P ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................
6. Given that x = 2 × 10-3 and y = 7 × 10-4, evaluate x + 8y, giving your answer in
scientific notation.
x + 8y = (2 10-3) + 8(7 10-4) = 7.6 10-3
× × ×
...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

7. Given that M = 3.2 × 106 and N = 5.0 × 107, find the value of each of the following,
giving your answer in scientific notation.
= (3.2 × 106) × (5.0 × 107) = 1.6 × 1014
1) MN ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
6
M = 3.2 × 10 = 6.4 × 10-2
2) N ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
5.0 × 107

118
8. On a journey from Planet P to Venus, a rocket is traveling at a constant speed.
During this journey, the rocket travels past the moon in 4 days. The distance from
Planet P to the moon is 4.8 × 105 km.
1) Find the distance traveled by the rocket in 12 days. Give your answer in scientific
notation.
Distance traveled by the rocket in 4 days = 4.8 105 × km.
..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
5
Distance traveled by the rocket in 12 days = 4.8 ×4 10 × 12 km
..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
= 1.44 × 106 km.
..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
Therefore, the distance traveled by the rocket on 12 days is 1.44 × 106 km.
..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

2) Given that the distance between Planet P and Venus is 4.8 × 107 km, find the time
taken, in days, for the journey.
Speed = Distance Time 5
..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
Speed of the rocket = 4.8 × 10
4 5 km/day
..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
= 1.2 × 10 km/day
..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
Therefore, the number of days taken for traveling from
..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
7
Planet P to Venus = 4.8 × 105 = 400 days.
..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
1.2 × 10
Advanced Level
9. The table shows the approximate population of the world in the past centuries.
Find each of the following.
Year World population
8
1) The increase in population from 1549 to 1649
1549 4.20 × 10 Increase in population
....................................................................................................................................
8
1649 5.45 × 10 = (5.45 × 108) - (4.20 × 108)
....................................................................................................................................

1749 7.28 × 108 = 1.25 × 108

....................................................................................................................................

1849 1.17 × 109 2) The number of times that the population in

1849 is as large as that in 1649
1.17 × 109 2.15
8 ≈
...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
5.45 × 10
Therefore, the population of the world in 1849 is 2.15 times as many as that in 1649.
...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

119
Summary
1. Writing the exponential number with positive integers
To write the exponential number with positive integers, it is to write
an = a × a × a × … × a , where a is a rational number and n is a positive
n times integer.
2. Multiplication and division of exponential numbers with positive integers
1) Laws of exponents
Assume that a and b are rational numbers and m, n and k are positive integers.
(1) am × an = am + n
(2) am ÷ an = am - n if a 0
(3) (am)n = amn
(4) an × bn = (a × b)n
(5) (am × bn)k = am × k × bn × k
n
(6) an ÷ bn = ( ab ) if b 0
m×k
(7) (am ÷ bn)k = a n × k if b 0
b
2) Zero exponents
If a is a real number, we define
a0 = 1 if a 0
3) Negative exponents
If a is a real number, we define
a-n = 1n if a 0
a
3. Writing the number in the form of scientific notation
A number is said to be expressed in standard form, or scientific notation, when it
is written as
A × 10n, where 1 ≤ A < 10 and n is an integer.
120
Review Exercise 2
1. Simplify the following, where x, y are rational numbers and 0.
1) (x3y2) × (x3y5) 2) (5x2y3)0 ÷ (-2x3y5)2

2 4 2 3 2 52 x3y2)2
3) ( x3 ) ÷ ( x7 ) 4) (3x y ) ×4 (-2
y y 9x y6

2. Express each of the following as a power of 5.

1) 524 ÷ 58 2) 1251 × 55

121
Review Exercise 2
1. Simplify the following, where x, y are rational numbers and 0.
1) (x3y2) × (x3y5) 2) (5x2y3)0 ÷ (-2x3y5)2
............................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................

............................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................

............................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................

............................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................

............................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................

............................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................

............................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................

2 4 2 3 2 52 x3y2)2
3) ( x3 ) ÷ ( x7 ) 4) (3x y ) ×4 (-2
y y 9x y6

2. Express each of the following as a power of 5.

1) 524 ÷ 58 2) 1251 × 55

121
3. Simplify each of the following, leaving your answer in exponential form where
appropriate.
1) 52 ÷ 5 × 50 2) 25 - 34

3 3 2
3) 32 + ( 13 ) - (-3)0 4) ( 35 ) ÷ ( 92 )

4. Solve each of the following.

1) Given that 46 × 4x = 1, find the value 2) Find the value of x4 for which - 13 =
1. x
of x. 8

............................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................

5. With the use of a calculator, find the value of each of the following, giving your
answer in scientific notation, correct to 3 significant figures.
1) (6.4 × 106) × (5.1 × 10-3) 2) (2.17 × 10-5) ÷ (7 × 104)
= ( 6 . 4 10 6 ) × ∧
............................................................................................................. = ( 2 . 1 7 10 - 5 ) × ∧
.............................................................................................................
× ( 5 . 1 × 10 ∧ - 3 ) = ÷ ( 7 × 10 ∧ 4 ) =
............................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................
= 32,640
............................................................................................................. = 3.10 10-10 ×
.............................................................................................................
≈ 3.26 × 10
4
............................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................

............................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................

122
3. Simplify each of the following, leaving your answer in exponential form where
appropriate.
1) 52 ÷ 5 × 50 2) 25 - 34
= 5
............................................................................................................. = -49
.............................................................................................................

3 3 2
3) 32 + ( 13 ) - (-3)0 4) ( 35 ) ÷ ( 92 )
= 8 271
.............................................................................................................
4
= 375
.............................................................................................................

4. Solve each of the following.

1) Given that 46 × 4x = 1, find the value 2) Find the value of x4 for which - 13 =
1. x
of x. 8
46 4x = 1×
............................................................................................................. - 1 = 18
.............................................................................................................
3
x
46 + x = 4 0
............................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................
3 3
6+x = 0
............................................................................................................. (- x1 ) = ( 12 )
.............................................................................................................

x = -6
............................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................

Therefore, x = -6.
............................................................................................................. - x1 = 12
.............................................................................................................

............................................................................................................. x = -2
.............................................................................................................

............................................................................................................. Therefore, x4= (-2)4 = 16.

.............................................................................................................

5. With the use of a calculator, find the value of each of the following, giving your
answer in scientific notation, correct to 3 significant figures.
1) (6.4 × 106) × (5.1 × 10-3) 2) (2.17 × 10-5) ÷ (7 × 104)
= ( 6 . 4 10 6 ) × ∧
............................................................................................................. = ( 2 . 1 7 10 - 5 ) × ∧
.............................................................................................................
× ( 5 . 1 × 10 ∧ - 3 ) = ÷ ( 7 × 10 ∧ 4 ) =
............................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................
= 32,640
............................................................................................................. = 3.10 10-10 ×
.............................................................................................................
≈ 3.26 × 10
4
............................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................

............................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................

122
 7 8
3) (3.17 × 104) + (2.26 × 105) 4) 8.43 × 10 + 6.84 3× 10
(1.01 × 10 )
= ( 3 . 1 7 10 4 ) × ∧
............................................................................................................. = ( 8 . 4 3 10 7 × ∧
.............................................................................................................
+ ( 2 . 2 6 × 10 ∧ 5 ) =
.............................................................................................................
+ 6 . 8 × 10 ∧ 8 )
.............................................................................................................
= 257,700 ÷ ( 1 . 0 1
............................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................
≈ 2.58 × 10
5 × 10 ∧ 4 ) ∧ 3 =
............................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................

............................................................................................................. ≈ 7.42 10-4 ×

.............................................................................................................

6. Given that ! = 110,000,000, &= 12,100,000 and ' = 0.000007, find the value of
each of the following, giving your answer in scientific notation.
1) a - b 2) acb
8 -6
= 110,000,000 - 12,100,000
............................................................................................................. = (1.1 × 10 ) × (7 × 10 )
.............................................................................................................
7
1.21 × 10
= (1.1 108) - (1.21 107)
× ×
............................................................................................................. ≈ 6.36 × 10
-5
.............................................................................................................

= 9.79 107 ×
............................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................

7. The diameter of a circular microorganism is 7 nanometers (nm). Find the value of

each of the following, giving your answer in scientific notation.
1) Diameter of a circular microorganism (m)
-9
1 nm = 10-9 m The length of the radius is 7 ×210 m
..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

7 nm = 7 × 10-9 m = 3.5 × 10-9 m.

..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Therefore, the circular microorganism From the circumference formula 2/ r,

..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

has the diameter of 7 × 10-9 m. we get 2(3.14) × (3.5 × 10-9) =

..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

2.198 × 10-8 m as the circumference of the

..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

circular microorganism.
..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

2) Area of a circular microorganism (m2)

From the area formula of a circle r2, /
..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
we get 3.14 (3.5 × 10-9)2 ≈ 3.85 × 10-17 m2.
..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
Therefore, the area of the circular microorganism is about 3.85 × 10-17 m2.
..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

123
8. The distance from 2 planets is 240 megameters (1 Mm = 106 m).
1) Express this distance in meters. Give your answer in scientific notation.
1 Mm = 106 m
..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
240 Mm = 240 × 106 m = 2.4 × 108 m
..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
Therefore, the distance from 2 planets is 2.4 × 108 m.
..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

2) A rocket travels a distance of one meter in 8,000 nanoseconds (ns) and 1 ns =

10-9 s. How long does the rocket take to travel from one planet to the other? Give
your answer in seconds and Time = Distance.
Speed
Since Time = Distance,
...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
Speed 8
then this rocket takes 2.4 ×1 10 = 1.92 × 103 second to travel from one planet to
...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
the other. 8,000 × 10-9
...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

9. The mass of a hydrogen atom is approximately 1.66 × 10-24 g and that of an oxygen
atom is approximately 2.66 × 10-23 g.
1) Find the mass of a water molecule 2) Find the approximate number of
which consists of two hydrogen and water molecules in a cup of water
one oxygen atoms. Give your answer which has a mass of 280 g. Give
in scientific notation, correct to 3 your answer in scientific notation,
significant figures. correct to 3 significant figures.
Mass of water molecule
............................................................................................................. Approximate number of water molecules in
.............................................................................................................
[2 × (1.66 × 10-24)] + (2.66 × 10-23) grams
............................................................................................................. a cup is 280 -23 molecules
.............................................................................................................
-23
2.99 × 10
≈ 2.99 × 10 grams
............................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................
Therefore, the mass of water molecule is
............................................................................................................. ≈ 9.36 1024 molecules.
×
.............................................................................................................
about 2.99 × 10-23 grams.
............................................................................................................. Therefore, the number of water molecules
.............................................................................................................

............................................................................................................. in a cup is about 9.36 × 1024 molecules.

.............................................................................................................

............................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................

124
 Challenge Yourself
1. Use the numerals 2, 3 and 4 to form a number as large as possible. Show that it
is the largest.
4 4
23 = 2(3 ) = 281
..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
3 3
24 = 2(4 ) = 264
..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
3 4
So, 234 < 243 < 24 = 264 < 281 = 23
..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
4 4
32 = 3(2 ) = 316
..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
2 2
34 = 3(4 ) = 316
..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
4 2
So, 32 = 34 < 324 < 342
..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
2 2
43 = 4(3 ) = 49
..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
3 3
42 = 4(2 ) = 48
..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
3 2
So, 42 < 43 < 423 < 432
..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
3 4
42 = 48 = 216 < 316 < 342 < 350 = (35)10 = 24310 < 25610 = 440 < 281 = 23
..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
4
Hence, 23 is the largest.
..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

2. What is the last digit of 32,015?

31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, …
..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
3, 9, 27, 81, 243, 729, 2,187, …
..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
We can observe that the digit in ones place of 3n, where n is a whole number, has the
..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
number order as follows: 3, 9, 7, 1, 3, 9, 7, 1, …
..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
Therefore, since 2,015 ÷ 4 gives a remainder of 3, the last digit of 32,015 is 7.
..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

125