How to use this sheet

  • Have the child check the first number every time: it must be at least 1 and less than 10.
  • Count the places the decimal point moves, and write the count as the exponent.
  • Ask whether the number is big or small before choosing the sign of the exponent.

Common mistakes

  • Writing 34 × 10³ as scientific notation. The first number must be less than 10: 3.4 × 10⁴.
  • Using a positive exponent for a small number such as 0.0042. Small numbers have negative exponents.
  • When multiplying, multiplying the exponents instead of adding them.

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