Exponents and Scientific Notation

Lesson 1

Math

Unit 1

8th Grade

Lesson 1 of 15

Objective


Review exponent notation and identify equivalent exponential expressions.

Common Core Standards


Core Standards

  • 8.EE.A.1 — Know and apply the properties of integer exponents to generate equivalent numerical expressions. For example, 3² × 3-5 = 3-3 = 1/3³ = 1/27.

Foundational Standards

  • 6.EE.A.1

Criteria for Success


  1. Understand that an exponential term is composed of a base and an exponent.
  2. Read the exponential term $${x^n}$$ as $$x$$ to the nth power or $$x$$ to the power $$n$$; additionally, read $$x^2$$ as $$x$$ squared and $$x^3$$ as $$x$$ cubed. 
  3. Expand exponential terms and use to write or identify equivalent exponential terms and expressions (positive exponents only).

Tips for Teachers


The first three lessons in this unit review exponent concepts and skills and approach standard 8.EE.1. Students may not have worked with some of these concepts since 6th grade and may need some review before engaging with standard-aligned content. These lessons may be combined or stretched as needed to meet the needs of your students.

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Anchor Problems

25-30 minutes


Problem 1

Which is larger: $${3^5}$$ or $${5^3}$$?

Guiding Questions

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Student Response

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Problem 2

How many times greater is $${2^8}$$ than $${2^2}$$?

Guiding Questions

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Student Response

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Problem 3

All of the following expressions are equivalent to $${3^4}$$. Explain or show how this is true for each expression.

a.   $${9^2}$$

b.   $${3^2\cdot 9}$$

c.   $${3^5 \div 3}$$

d.   $${(-3)^4}$$

e.   $${(3)^2\over\left({1\over3}\right)^2}$$

f.   $${(3^2)^2}$$

Guiding Questions

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Student Response

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Problem 4

You cut a piece of paper in half to get $${{1\over2}}$$ of the paper. You repeat this four more times. What fraction of the paper do you have after these five cuts? What fraction of the paper do you have after 15 cuts? Write your answers as exponentials.

Guiding Questions

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Student Response

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Problem Set

15-20 minutes


Give your students more opportunities to practice the skills in this lesson with a downloadable problem set aligned to the daily objective.

Target Task

5-10 minutes


Which of the following are equivalent to $${{2^4}}$$? Select all that apply. Then choose 2 of your selections and explain or show how they are equivalent to $${{2^4}}$$.

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Student Response

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Additional Practice


The following resources include problems and activities aligned to the objective of the lesson that can be used for additional practice or to create your own problem set.

  • Include problems similar to Anchor Problem 1 where students are given two exponential expressions and must determine which one is larger or smaller (for example, "Would you rather have $${5^4}$$ dollars or $${3^6}$$ dollars?").
  • Include problems similar to Anchor Problem 2 where students compare exponential terms with the same base; possibly include some error analysis problems where two numbers have different bases.
  • Include problems similar to Anchor Problem 3; ask students to write as many equivalent expressions as they can to a given exponential term. 
  • Include problems where students evaluate exponential terms; include fractions and decimals (These can be straightforward problems, as students will have more review practice with evaluating longer expressions with exponents in the next lesson).

Next

Evaluate numerical and algebraic expressions with exponents using the order of operations.

Lesson 2
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Lesson Map

A7CB09C2-D12F-4F55-80DB-37298FF0A765

Topic A: Review of Exponents

Topic B: Properties of Exponents

Topic C: Scientific Notation

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