What Are Powers of Ten?
Powers of ten help us understand very large and very small numbers easily!
When we write 103, it means 10 × 10 × 10 = 1,000. The small number (exponent) tells us how many times to multiply 10 by itself. This makes working with big numbers much simpler!
How Powers of Ten Work
1️⃣ The exponent tells how many zeros come after the 1
2️⃣ Positive exponents make numbers bigger (102 = 100)
3️⃣ Negative exponents make numbers smaller (10-2 = 0.01)
Let's Practice with Examples
Example 1: The Power of Growing Numbers
Click the buttons to see how powers of ten change numbers:
Example 2: Real-World Powers
How many meters are in 10 kilometers? (Hint: 1 kilometer = 103 meters)
10 kilometers = 10 × 103 meters = 10,000 meters!
That's like 100 football fields lined up end to end!
Parent Tips 🌟
- Kitchen Math: When cooking, show how 103 grams = 1 kilogram helps with recipe measurements.
- Money Talk: Compare $1 (100), $10 (101), $100 (102) to make exponents relatable.
- Nature Walk: Count tree rings - each ring represents a year, showing how 102 years = a century of growth!