Powers of base 10

A power of base ten is a number whose base is 10 raised to an integer power n. Results in the digit 1 followed by n zeros when the exponent is positive, or preceded by n zeros when the exponent is negative.

10 to the power of 0 equals 1 left parenthesis no zero space right parenthesis 10 to the power of 1 equals 10 space left parenthesis a zero space right parenthesis 10 squared equals 100 space left parenthesis two zeros space right parenthesis 10 to the power of right n equals 1 space followed by square space n space zeros

If the exponent n is negative:

10 to the power of minus 1 end of exponential equals space 0 comma 1 space left parenthesis one space preceded space space one space zero right parenthesis 10 to the power of minus 2 end of exponential equals 0 comma 01 space left parenthesis one space preceded space space two space zeros right parenthesis 10 to the power of minus 3 end of exponential equals 0 comma 001 space left parenthesis one space preceded by space of space three space zeros right parenthesis 10 to the power of minus right n end of exponential equals space 1 space preceded right space space n space zeros

In case the exponent is negative, we place a comma after the first zero.

Powers of base ten simplify writing and calculating with large numbers, with many orders or decimal places.

For example, the number 1 000 000 000 (one billion), can be written as 10 to the power of 9 (1 followed by nine zeros). Similarly, a number like 0.000 000 000 001 can be written as 10 to the power of minus to the power of 12(1 preceded by twelve zeros).

It is worth remembering that this is due to the negative exponent inverting the fraction.

10 to the power of negative squared equals 1 over 10 squared equals 1 over 100 equals 0 point 01

Multiplying and dividing powers of base 10

Multiplication and division of base-ten powers follow the same rules as for power.

When multiplying powers of ten, we repeat the base and add the exponents.

10 to the power of 8. space 10 cubed space equals space 10 to the power of 8 space plus space 3 end of exponential equals 10 to the power of 11

When dividing powers of base 10, we repeat the base and subtract the exponents.

10 to the power of 6 over 10 to the power of 4 equals 10 to the power of 6 minus 4 end of the exponential equals 10 squared

Adding and subtracting powers of base 10

Addition and subtraction of powers of base ten can only occur if their exponents are equal. Thus, it is enough to treat the powers as integer values.

10 squared plus 10 squared equals 2.10 squared

A power of ten squared plus a power of ten squared is equal to two powers of ten squared.

Example
If the exponents are not equal, equalize them and only then add or subtract.

Changing the exponent in powers of base 10

To change the exponent without changing the power value, we multiply the power by 1 and move its decimal point.

For increase the exponent, we move the decimal point at 1 to the left, we add as many orders as units to the exponent.

Example
Increase the power exponent by 3 10 cubed without changing its value.

10 cubed space equals 0 comma 001 space. space 10 to the power of 6

For decrease the exponent, we write the power with the new exponent and move the decimal point at 1 to the right, as many orders as units we take from the exponent.

Example
Decrease the power exponent by 2 units 10 to the power of 5, without changing its value.

10 to the power of 5 equals 100 space. space 10 cubed (if we subtract two units in the exponent, we multiply by 100)

learn more at cientific notation and order of magnitude.

Exercises on powers of ten

Exercise 1

Write the following numbers as powers of base 10.

right parenthesis right space 1 space 000 space 000 space 000 straight b right parenthesis space 0 comma 001 straight c right parenthesis space 0 comma 1 straight d right parenthesis space 1
right parenthesis right space 1 space 000 space 000 space 000 space equals 10 to the power of 9 straight b right parenthesis space 0 comma 001 equals 10 to the power of minus 3 end of straight exponential c right parenthesis space 0 comma 1 equals 10 to the power of negative 1 end of straight exponential d right parenthesis space 1 equals 10 à power of 0

Exercise 2

Write the powers of base 10 as integers or decimals.

right a right parenthesis space 10 to the power of negative 6 end of the exponential straight b parenthesis right space 10 to the power of 4 right parenthesis space 10 to the power of 1 right parenthesis d right parenthesis space 10 to the power of minus 4 end of exponential
straight the right parenthesis space 10 to the power of minus 6 end of the exponential equals 0 comma 000006 straight b right parenthesis space 10 to the power of 4 equals 10 space 000 right parenthesis space 10 to the power of 1 equals 10 square d parenthesis right space 10 to the power of minus 4 end of the exponential equals 0 comma 0004

Exercise 3

Perform operations with powers of base 10.

right parenthesis space 10 to the power of 9 space. space 10 to the power of negative 3 end of the straight exponential b right parenthesis space 10 to the power of 27 divided by 10 to the power of 12 straight c right parenthesis space 9.10 to the power of 8 plus 3.10 to the power of 8 right parenthesis space 14.10 to the power of 5 minus 6.10 to the power out of 7
right parenthesis space 10 to the power of 9 space. space 10 to the power of minus 3 end of the exponential space equal to space 10 to the power of 9 minus left parenthesis minus 3 right parenthesis end of exponential equals 10 to the power of 12 right b parenthesis space 10 to the power of 27 divided by 10 to the power of 12 equals 10 to the power of 27 minus 12 end of exponential equals 10 to the power of 15 right c right parenthesis space 9.10 to the power of 8 plus 3.10 to the power of 8 equals left parenthesis 9 space plus space 3 right parenthesis.10 to the power of 8 equals 12.10 to the power of 8 right parenthesis d space 14.10 to the power of 5 minus 6.10 to the power of 7 equals 14.10 to the power of 5 minus 60.10 to the power of 5 equals left parenthesis 14 minus 60 right parenthesis.10 to the power of 5 equals minus 46.10 to the power of 5

See too

  • Potentiation
  • Potentiation properties
  • Strengthening Exercises
  • Scientific notation exercises
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