Compare the Size of Numbers in Standard and Ordinary Form

Using standard form is incredibly useful when we need to use either very large or very small numbers.

 

Areas we may use standard form include physics, biology and chemistry. From measuring the distance between planets to the mass of atoms.

 

 

In this activity, we will use inequalities to compare numbers written in standard and ordinary form.

 

Example 

Write the following values in order from smallest to biggest.

 

0.07, 7.07 x 10^-3, 7 x 10^-3, 0.0007

 

The first step is to convert the standard form values to ordinary form.

7.07 x 10^-3 = 0.00707

7 x 10^-3 = 0.007

 

Now that we have the numbers in ordinary form, we can use our understanding of place value to compare.

 

0.07

0.00707

0.007

0.0007

 

(Smallest) 0.0007, 7 x 10^-3, 7.07 x 10^-3, 0.07 (Largest)

 

Feeling confident? Let's try the activity!