Operations with Standard Form (Cambridge (CIE) IGCSE Maths)

Revision Note

Operations with Standard Form

How do I perform calculations with numbers in standard form?

  • Your calculator can be used to help you carry out calculations with numbers written in standard form

  • Make use of brackets around each number, and use the box enclose cross times 10 to the power of x end enclose button to enter numbers in standard form

    • e.g. open parentheses 3 cross times 10 to the power of 8 close parentheses cross times open parentheses 2 cross times 10 to the power of negative 3 end exponent close parentheses 

    • You can instead use the standard multiplication and index buttons

  • If the answer produced by your calculator is not in standard form, but the answer requires it:

    • Either rewrite it using the standard process

      • e.g. 3 820 000 = 3.82 × 106

    • Or rewrite a  in standard form, then apply the laws of indices

      • e.g.  243 × 1020 = (2.43 × 102) × 1020 = 2.43 × 1022

Examiner Tips and Tricks

  • Calculations with numbers written in standard form will only appear on the calculator paper

    • Therefore use your calculator wherever possible!

    • However you can be asked to convert into or out of standard form in the non-calculator paper

Worked Example

Use your calculator to find fraction numerator 1.275 cross times 10 to the power of 6 over denominator 3.4 cross times 10 to the power of negative 2 end exponent end fraction.

Write your answer in the form A cross times 10 to the power of n, where 1 less or equal than A less than 10 and n is an integer.

Input the calculation into your calculator, so it appears exactly as in the question
Your calculator may or may not present the answer in standard form
Copy the digits, especially the zeros, carefully

fraction numerator 1.275 cross times 10 to the power of 6 over denominator 3.4 cross times 10 to the power of negative 2 end exponent end fraction equals 37 space 500 space 000

Rewrite in standard form

bold 3 bold. bold 75 bold cross times bold 10 to the power of bold 7

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Jamie Wood

Author: Jamie Wood

Expertise: Maths

Jamie graduated in 2014 from the University of Bristol with a degree in Electronic and Communications Engineering. He has worked as a teacher for 8 years, in secondary schools and in further education; teaching GCSE and A Level. He is passionate about helping students fulfil their potential through easy-to-use resources and high-quality questions and solutions.

Dan Finlay

Author: Dan Finlay

Expertise: Maths Lead

Dan graduated from the University of Oxford with a First class degree in mathematics. As well as teaching maths for over 8 years, Dan has marked a range of exams for Edexcel, tutored students and taught A Level Accounting. Dan has a keen interest in statistics and probability and their real-life applications.