© 1999 T
EXAS
I
NSTRUMENTS
I
NCORPORATED
TI-30X
Ù
S: A Guide for Teachers
6
Star Voyage — Scientific Notation
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
Ù
S
• 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
4. Now, just type the next
number and press
<
.
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.
5. Type the next number and
press
<
.