8th Grade · Expressions & Equations
Power of 10
8.EE.A.3
Definition
Ten raised to an exponent. A positive exponent gives a large number and shifts the decimal right; a negative exponent gives a small number and shifts the decimal left.
Examples
- 3.6 × 10⁵ = 360,000 (decimal moves 5 places right).
- 3.6 × 10⁻⁴ = 0.00036 (decimal moves 4 places left).
Key rule
The exponent tells how many places, and which direction, the decimal moves.
Memory hook
Tells how many places the decimal moves.