Powers of Ten

Study Sheet

Powers of Ten

What happens to the digits

Shifting Places

Concept
The Big Idea
hundredstensones

Multiplying by 10n10^n moves every digit nn places to the left. The digits never change — only what each place is worth.

Example
Finding 43×10243 \times 10^2

Two places left: 4343 becomes 43004300.

In Plain Terms & More Examples

Concept
In plain terms

Multiplying by 10n10^n slides every digit nn places to the left; the digits stay the same, only their value grows.

Example
Finding 6×1036 \times 10^3

Three places left: 66 becomes 60006000.

Example
Finding 25×10225 \times 10^2

Two places left: 2525 becomes 25002500.