Calculating with Standard Form Flashcards

GCSE Mathematics (Edexcel) 1MA1

Standard form definition

A way of writing very large or very small numbers as a × 10ⁿ, where 1 ≤ a < 10 and n is an integer.

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Standard form definition

A way of writing very large or very small numbers as a × 10ⁿ, where 1 ≤ a < 10 and n is an integer.

Multiplying numbers in standard form

Multiply the coefficients (a values) and add the powers of 10 (n values).

Dividing numbers in standard form

Divide the coefficients (a values) and subtract the powers of 10 (n values).

Adding or subtracting numbers in standard form

Ensure the powers of 10 (n values) are the same, then add or subtract the coefficients (a values).

Converting a large number to standard form

Move the decimal point to make the number between 1 and 10, and count the places moved as the positive power of 10.

Converting a small number to standard form

Move the decimal point to make the number between 1 and 10, and count the places moved as the negative power of 10.

Example: 4500 in standard form

4.5 × 10³ (Move the decimal 3 places to the left).

Example: 0.0072 in standard form

7.2 × 10⁻³ (Move the decimal 3 places to the right).

Converting from standard form to ordinary form

Multiply the coefficient (a value) by 10 raised to the power of n to get the ordinary number.

Key rule for standard form

The coefficient (a value) must always be between 1 and 10, and the power of 10 (n value) must be an integer.

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