Education Technology

Number Power!

Subject Area
Math: Algebra I: Exponential Functions
Math: Algebra I: Logarithmic Functions
Level
9-12
Activity Time
60 Minutes
TI Calculator
TI-30 X IIS™ / TI-30Xa
Other Materials
This is Activity 5 from the EXPLORATIONS Book:
Math Investigations with the TI-30X IIS: Activities for Secondary Mathematics

Resource Types
Lessons

Number Power!

Activity Overview

Students explore patterns and rules in dealing with exponents and logarithms. They evaluate expressions with exponents and logarithms and display them in various notations. They will use their calculators to discover the power of exponents and their usefulness in the world.

Before the Activity

  • See the attached PDF file for detailed instructions for this activity
  • Print pages 50 - 52 from the attached PDF file for your class
  • During the Activity

    Distribute the pages to the class.

    Follow the activity procedures:

  • Evaluate exponential expressions and display the result as decimals rounded to the nearest thousandth
  • Examine patterns that result from algebraic manipulation, and make and verify conjectures about general algebraic properties
  • Realize that negative numbers raised to odd powers produce negative results, and even powers produce positive results
  • Use the calculator to determine if expressions are equivalent


  • Express numbers in scientific notation
  • Learn how to calculate common and natural logarithms using the calculator
  • Determine the number of bytes in a kilobyte and a megabyte
  • After the Activity

    Students complete the Student Activity pages.

  • Review student results
  • As a class, discuss questions that appeared to be more challenging
  • Re-teach concepts as necessary
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    Subject Area
    Math: Algebra I: Exponential Functions
    Math: Algebra I: Logarithmic Functions
    Level
    9-12
    Activity Time
    60 Minutes
    TI Calculator
    TI-30 X IIS™ / TI-30Xa
    Other Materials
    This is Activity 5 from the EXPLORATIONS Book:
    Math Investigations with the TI-30X IIS: Activities for Secondary Mathematics

    Resource Types
    Lessons
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