Learning Activity

Operations With Scientific Notation Introduction

Subject Area

Mathematics

Grade(s)

7, 8

Overview

In this learning activity, a teaching video will help students learn how to perform operations with numbers expressed in scientific notation, including problems with both decimal and scientific notation. The students will use scientific notation and choose units of appropriate size for measurements of very large or very small quantities (e.g., use millimeters per year for seafloor spreading). Finally, they will interpret scientific notation that has been generated by technology.

 

This learning activity can be used as a stand-alone activity or a Before Activity. The During and After activities can be found in the Notes or Recommendations section.

Mathematics (2019) Grade(s): 7 - Grade 7 Accelerated

MA19.7A.16

Express and compare very large or very small numbers in scientific notation. [Grade 8, 5]

Unpacked Content

UP:MA19.7A.16

Vocabulary

  • Multiplicative relationship
  • Scientific Notation

Knowledge

Students know:
  • That scientific notation is formed using base ten system and is the reason a 10 is used as the base number.
  • Raising or lowering an exponent is has an effect on the place value of the decimal expansion.
  • That scientific notation is formed using a base ten system.
  • how to apply laws for multiplying and dividing exponents

Skills

Students are able to:
  • Write numbers in standard notation in scientific notation.
  • Convert numbers from scientific notation back to standard form.
  • Use information given in scientific notation to estimate very large or small quantities given in real-world contexts.
  • Perform multiplication and division with numbers expressed in scientific notation to solve real-world problems, including problems where both scientific and decimal notation are used.
  • Choose between appropriate units of measure when determining solutions or estimating

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • The movement of decimals in converting between scientific and standard notation is a function of an exponent.
  • Every decimal place represents a power of ten (this is a connection many students have not made yet when thinking about place value).
  • Scientific notation has real-world applications for very large and very small quantities found in many disciplines.
  • performing scientific notation operations are another application of integer exponent operations.
Mathematics (2019) Grade(s): 7 - Grade 7 Accelerated

MA19.7A.16a

Perform operations with numbers expressed in scientific notation, including problems where both decimal and scientific notation are used, expressing answers in scientific notation. [Grade 8, 6]
Mathematics (2019) Grade(s): 8

MA19.8.6

Perform operations with numbers expressed in scientific notation, including problems where both decimal and scientific notation are used.

Unpacked Content

UP:MA19.8.6

Vocabulary

  • Multiplicative Relationship
  • Scientific Notation

Knowledge

Students know:
  • that scientific notation is formed using a base ten system.
  • how to apply laws for multiplying and dividing exponents.

Skills

Students are able to:
  • perform multiplication and division with numbers expressed in scientific notation to solve real-world problems, including problems where both scientific and decimal notation are used.
  • Choose between appropriate units of measure when determining solutions or estimating

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • scientific notation has real-world applications for very large and very small quantities found in many disciplines.
  • performing scientific notation operations are another application of integer exponent operations.

Phase

Before/Engage
Learning Objectives

Learning Objectives

Learning Targets: 

  • I can perform operations using numbers expressed in scientific notations.
  • I can use scientific notation to express very large and very small quantities.
  • I can choose appropriate units of measure when using scientific notation.

Activity Details

Procedure

1. Introduction (5 minutes, whole group)
The teacher will discuss the reason Scientific Notation is used:

    • The teacher will say, "Many mathematicians, statisticians, and other professionals who regularly work with large numbers use scientific notation to break down the numbers into more manageable amounts and for easier calculation. Scientific notification allows individuals to more easily understand the number and simplify arithmetic operations. We will explore the definition of scientific notation, why it's important, how it works, and the different ways you can write in scientific notation."

2. Watching the video (10 minutes, whole group):

  • The teacher will define scientific notation as a way to express numbers that are too big or little to write in basic decimal form. Scientific notation is also referred to as standard form, scientific form, or standard index form in some settings. Most frequently used by scientists, mathematicians, and engineers, scientific notation allows professionals and others to write very long numbers in a much easier-to-understand manner. When using a scientific calculator, the scientific notation can be implemented by selecting the "SCI" display mode.
  • The teacher will use Using Scientific Notation video as a teaching tool.
  • Students will observe, take notes, use their math journals or paper, and ask questions.

3. Conclusion (10 minutes, whole group)

The teacher will review the lesson content embedded in the Using Scientific Notation video, using the Operations with Scientific Notation Introduction Practice, and answer any further questions the students may have concerning performing operations with numbers expressed in scientific notation, including problems where both decimal and scientific notation are used.

Assessment Strategies

Assessment Strategies

The student responses during the class discussion will be used as a formative assessment. 

Variation Tips

 

  • The teacher can assign the example problems through a digital platform and have the students work on the problems first before the whole group learns together.
  • The teacher can have the students write their notes on plain notebook paper instead of in math journals.

Related Learning Activities

Learning Activity (Before)

Operations With Scientific Notation Introduction

Learning Activity (During)

Operations With Scientific Notation Lesson

Learning Activity (After)

Operations With Scientific Notation Practice

Background and Preparation

Background / Preparation

Digital Tools / Resources

Operations with Scientific Notation Online Math Learning
https://youtu.be/gKKbd_zY4JE.

Approved Date

Owner (Author)

yvetteakridge
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