Standard Form

Standard form-numbers

• Numbers in standard form have two parts
  • 7.3 x 10(-6)
  • 7.3 represents a number greater than or equal to 1 and less than 10
  • -6 represents a power of 10
• You can use standard form to write very large or very small number
  • Numbers greater than 10 have a positive power of 10
  • Numbers less than 1 have a negative power of 10

Counting decimal places

• You can count decimal places to convert between numbers in standard form and ordinary numbers
  • Be careful, don’t just count zeros to work out the power

Examiners’ report

• You need to be able to work with numbers in standard form on your non-calculator paper
• To add or subtract, write the numbers as ordinary numbers first, then write your final answer in standard form

Non-calculator multiplying

• Rearrange so powers of 10 are together
• Multiply the number parts
• Add the powers
• Rewrite your answer in standard form if necessary

Non-calculator dividing

• Rearrange so powers of 10 are together
• Divide the number parts
• Subtract the powers
• Rewrite your answer in standard form if necessary