Its all about the powers with this exercise! You can use the cut out cards, the flipchart or the powerpoint to do this. Check you know your powers of 10 and then match the cards up. Choose one number from the left (numbers between 1 and 10), one multiplier (powers of 10) and match them up with an answer. You should end up with 30 groups of three so you might have to do some careful shuffling!

Time 30 - 40 minutes

Age 13+

Why we like this activity....

Sometimes the simple things are the best! SOmething about matching the groups like this is engaging and brings
out the reasonging. Students talk, compare and sipute until they have solved the problem. In doing so they are
practsing the use of scientific notation!

How this activity can be used....

There is a document with cards that can be laminated and cut out or there is an activstudio flipchart and powerpoint
slide to do this activity in computer. I like to do it with tactile cards and in groups of 2 or 3. I use the
flipchart/slideshow at the front of the class to collect answers. I might invite somestudents to rearrange a few on the
oard as we go, then save the work for the students.

What to expect when using this activity, from our experience...

No real hitches. Its always better if you have time to cut out cards in advance, because students tend to drift whilst
practising their scissor skills, but it doesn't take them that long. Watch out for the power of 0, this can cause some
discussion.

Extra notes

Author/Date Jim Noble 09/09

Credits