Exponents and Scientific Notation

Lesson 3

Math

Unit 1

8th Grade

Lesson 3 of 15

Objective


Investigate patterns of exponents with positive/negative bases and even/odd bases.

Common Core Standards


Core Standards

  • 8.EE.A.1 — Know and apply the properties of integer exponents to generate equivalent numerical expressions. For example, 3² × 3-5 = 3-3 = 1/3³ = 1/27.

Foundational Standards

  • 6.EE.A.1
  • 7.NS.A.2

Criteria for Success


  1. Understand that an odd number raised to any non-negative power is always odd.
  2. Understand that an even number raised to any positive power is always even.
  3. Understand that a negative number raised to any odd power is always negative, and raised to an even power is always positive.
  4. Understand that a positive number raised to any power is always positive.
  5. Look for and make use of structure that exists with exponentials in order to make general conclusions (MP.7).
  6. Look for and make sense of repeated reasoning with exponentials in order to make general conclusions (MP.8).

Tips for Teachers


  • Though this lesson is centered on exponents, this is also an opportunity to have students investigate other patterns and structures in the number system with the objective of having students justify their reasoning, convince others, and defend their conclusions (MP.3).
  • This is the last of three review lessons approaching 8.EE.1 intended to cover concepts and skills involving exponents. This lesson can be extended or condensed as appropriate for your students.
Fishtank Plus

Unlock features to optimize your prep time, plan engaging lessons, and monitor student progress.

Anchor Problems


Problem 1

Consider the statement: A negative number raised to any whole number power will be negative.

Is this statement always, sometimes, or never true? Justify your response.

Guiding Questions

Create a free account or sign in to access the Guiding Questions for this Anchor Problem.

Problem 2

Consider the statement: An odd number raised to an odd power will be odd.

Is this statement always, sometimes, or never true? Justify your response.

Guiding Questions

Create a free account or sign in to access the Guiding Questions for this Anchor Problem.

Problem 3

What is the last digit of $${7^{2023}}$$? Explain.

Guiding Questions

Create a free account or sign in to access the Guiding Questions for this Anchor Problem.

References

Illustrative Mathematics Seven to the What?!?Note, the exponent has been changed to reflect the current year

Seven to the What?!?, accessed on Aug. 3, 2017, 3:53 p.m., is licensed by Illustrative Mathematics under either the CC BY 4.0 or CC BY-NC-SA 4.0. For further information, contact Illustrative Mathematics.

Problem Set

Fishtank Plus Content

Give your students more opportunities to practice the skills in this lesson with a downloadable problem set aligned to the daily objective.

Target Task


Which statements below are true? Select all that apply. Choose one answer you said was true and justify your response. 

Create a free account or sign in to view multiple choice options

Student Response

Create a free account or sign in to view Student Response

Additional Practice


The following resources include problems and activities aligned to the objective of the lesson that can be used for additional practice or to create your own problem set.

  • Include always, sometimes, never problems similar to Anchor Problems 1 & 2 involving exponent and other number sense reasoning; ensure students provide adequate justifications.
  • Include problems with patterns of powers of 10.
  • Include any other review with exponent concepts and skills.
  • Challenge: Determine if there are values for $$a$$ and $$b$$ that would make this inequality true: $$(-a)^b\leq-(a)^b$$
icon/arrow/right/large copy

Lesson 2

icon/arrow/right/large

Lesson 4

Lesson Map

A7CB09C2-D12F-4F55-80DB-37298FF0A765

Topic A: Review of Exponents

Topic B: Properties of Exponents

Topic C: Scientific Notation

Request a Demo

See all of the features of Fishtank in action and begin the conversation about adoption.

Learn more about Fishtank Learning School Adoption.

Contact Information

School Information

What courses are you interested in?

ELA

Math

Are you interested in onboarding professional learning for your teachers and instructional leaders?

Yes

No

Any other information you would like to provide about your school?

Effective Instruction Made Easy

Effective Instruction Made Easy

Access rigorous, relevant, and adaptable math lesson plans for free