Learning Activity

Operations With Scientific Notation Lesson

Subject Area

Mathematics

Grade(s)

7, 8

Overview

In this learning activity, 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 During Activity. The Before 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

During/Explore/Explain
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 interpret scientific notation that has been generated by technology.
  • 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, "When a number is written in scientific notation it is written as a product of a number that is at least 1 but less than 10 and a power of 10. Scientific notation makes it easier to read, write, and calculate with very large and very small numbers. You can add, subtract, multiply, and divide numbers that are written in scientific notation while still keeping the numbers in scientific notation."

2. During (20 minutes, whole group)

  • The teacher will tell the students they are about to learn the steps for adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing two numbers written in scientific notation.
  • The teacher will use Operations with Scientific Notation Lesson as a teaching tool. The activity has "I do" and "We do" sections. During this section of the lesson, use the "I do."
  • Students will observe, take notes, use their math journals or paper, and ask questions.

3. Conclusion (15 minutes, whole group)

  • First, the students will work on the "We do" section of the lesson on their own. After ample time has passed, the teacher will ask for volunteers to work on the "We do" problems on the board to be displayed for the entire class.
  • The teacher will 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 adjust times for each section as needed.
  • The teacher can have the students write their notes on plain notebook paper instead of in math journals.
  • For students who struggle with this activity, the teacher should provide a work buddy.
  • For students who excel at this activity, the teacher could assign the example problems individually.

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

  • Students should already be familiar with scientific notation.
  • The teacher should review the slides prior to the lesson.
  • The teacher will need to decide on how he/she will display the Operations with Scientific Notation Lesson and the "We do" section of the lesson.

Digital Tools / Resources

Operations With Scientific Notation Lesson Google Doc
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1b_s7oSPGPYvhl0RP9Jt8iL7ir3eGXOJBtcjpUvX…

Approved Date

Owner (Author)

yvetteakridge
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