Activity Detail
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Activity Overview

Students explore the limits on powers that can be displayed without scientific notation and look for patterns in the powers.

Before the Activity

  • See the attached PDF file for detailed instructions for this activity
  • Print the transparency sheet and pages 70 - 72 from the attached Student PDF file for the class

    		•

    		During the Activity

    		Distribute the pages to the class.

    Follow the activity procedures:
  • Find the greatest whole number exponent for the bases given on the Activity page so that the product is displayed without scientific notation
  • Understand that the exponent for 4 is the greatest whole number less than or equal to one-half of the exponent for 2, because 4 is the square of 2
  • Realize that the exponent for 25 is the greatest whole number less than or equal to one-half of the exponent for 5, because 25 is the square of 5
  • Find the square root of the greatest number that can be displayed on the calculator
  • Take its integer part to determine the greatest whole number whose square can be displayed on the calculator without using scientific notation
  • Understand that if the base is 1, the product is always 1 [irrespective of the exponent]

    		After the Activity

    		Students complete the Activity pages.
  • Review student results
  • As a class, discuss questions that appeared to be more challenging
  • Re-teach concepts as necessary

    		Other Downloads




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    Subject Area:
    Math : Middle Grades Math : Algebraic Thinking
    Math : PreAlgebra : Number Sense and Operations
    Math : Middle Grades Math : Number Sense

    Author:
    Texas Instruments

    Level:
    5-8

    Activity Time:
    60 Minutes

    Device:
    TI-30Xa, TI-30X IIB, TI-30X IIS, TI-34 II Explorer Plus™

    Apps:
     

    Software:
     

    Accessories:
     

    Other:
    This is Activity 9 from the EXPLORATIONS Book:
    Investigating Mathematics with Calculators in the Middle Grades

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