8.EE.A.3: Powers of 10 estimates

Also written as 8.EE.3

Use numbers expressed in the form of a single digit times an integer power of 10 to estimate very large or very small quantities, and to express how many times as much one is than the other.

In plain words: Students estimate very large or very small quantities as a single digit times a power of 10 and work out how many times as large one quantity is as another.

Quick picks

GoblinsTeach it with
How can one glass beat the ocean?8th grade · Scientific notation · 2 min
Common mistake
Comparing only the exponents: 7 × 10⁹ is about 23 times 3 × 10⁸, not 10 times.
Builds on
6.EE.A.1Whole-number exponents8.EE.A.1Integer exponent rules
Leads to
8.EE.A.4Scientific notation
Example Problems
Express this number in standard form:
Express this number in standard form:
Express this number in standard form:
Khan Academy Resources
Scientific notation reviewScientific notationApproximating with powers of 10Multiplication and division with powers of tenScientific notation example: 0.0000000003457Scientific notation examplesApproximating with powers of 10
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