Texas Instruments TI-30X IIS - Star Voyage: Scientific Notation Activity

© 1999 T
EXAS
I
NSTRUMENTS
I
NCORPORATED
TI-30X ÙS: A Guide for Teachers
6
Overview
Students investigate scientific notation by changing
numbers into scientific notation, and then using them
in calculations.
Math Concepts
• scientific
notation
• addition
• division
Materials
• TI-30X ÙS
• pencil
• student activity
Introduction
Set up the activity by telling your students:
The standard form for scientific notation is a
Q
10
n
,
where a is greater than or equal to 1 and less than
10, and n is an integer.
1. Have students practice writing the following
numbers in scientific notation using pencil and
paper.
a. 93 000 000 9.3
Q
10
7
b. 384 000 000 000 3.84
Q
10
11
c. 0.00000000000234 2.34
Q
10
-12
d. 0.0000000157 1.57
Q
10
-8
2. Have students change the following numbers into
scientific notation using the TI-30X
Ö
S.
a. 12 000 000 1.2
Q
10
7
b. 974 000 000 9.74
Q
10
8
c. 0.0000034 3.4
Q
10
-6
d. 0.000000004 4
Q
10
-9
Note: Answers assume the default floating decimal
setting.
 1. Enter the first number.
12000000
2. Press % d.
FLO SCI ENG
3. Press " < <.
12000000
1.2
x10
07
3. Have students change the following numbers into
floating decimal (standard notation).
a. 5.8 Q 10
7
58 000 000
b. 7.32 Q 10
5
732 000
c. 6.2 Q 10
-6
0.0000062
d. 3 Q 10
-8
0.00000003
Note: To enter a negative number, press M and then
enter the number.
³ 1. Enter 5.8; press % C.
5.8
¯
2. Enter 7; press % d.
FLO SCI ENG
3. Press !
.
FLO
SCI ENG
4. Press < <.
5.8
¯
7
58000000.
Star Voyage — Scientific Notation