8th Grade Scientific Notation Quiz: 10 Questions with Explanations

A \(3.4 \times 10^{6}\)B \(3.4 \times 10^{5}\)C \(34 \times 10^{5}\)D \(3.4 \times 10^{-6}\)

Move the decimal point 6 places left. The front number must be between 1 and 10.

A \(9.1 \times 10^{4}\)B \(9.1 \times 10^{-4}\)C \(9.1 \times 10^{-3}\)D \(91 \times 10^{-5}\)

Move the decimal point 4 places right, so the exponent is -4. The form 91 x 10^-5 has a front number that is too large.

A 5,100B 510,000C 51,000D 0.00051

Move the point 4 places right: 51,000.

A \(10^{5}\)B \(10^{1}\)C \(10^{6}\)D \(5\)

The exponents differ by 2 – (-3) = 5, so B is 100,000 times A.

A \(6 \times 10^{12}\)B \(5 \times 10^{7}\)C \(6 \times 10^{1}\)D \(6 \times 10^{7}\)

Multiply 2 x 3 = 6 and add 3 + 4 = 7. Multiplying the exponents is wrong.

A \(2 \times 10^{3}\)B \(2 \times 10^{12}\)C \(2 \times 10^{6}\)D \(4 \times 10^{6}\)

Divide 8 by 4 = 2 and subtract 9 – 3 = 6.

A \(9 \times 10^{5}\)B \(9 \times 10^{9}\)C \(6.3 \times 10^{4}\)D \(6.3 \times 10^{5}\)

Write 3 x 10^4 as 0.3 x 10^5, then add: 6.3 x 10^5.

A micrometersB kilometersC milesD meters

The cell is millions of times smaller than a meter, so micrometers (10^-6 m) fit best.

A \(1.25 \times 10^{4}\)B \(12.5 \times 10^{3}\)C \(9 \times 10^{-7}\)D \(1 \times 10^{0}\)

12.5 is not between 1 and 10. It should be 1.25 x 10^4.

A \(1.1 \times 10^{6}\)B \(1.1 \times 10^{5}\)C \(1.1 \times 10^{1}\)D \(11 \times 10^{5}\)

Multiplying by 100 adds 2 to the exponent: 3 + 2 = 5. The form 11 x 10^5 is not scientific notation.