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 		 Exploring whole numbers ( Number Operations & Number Theory )
Term    : 1 
Module : 1 - Capturing Data 
Unit 1      : Numbers Made Easy (  Whole Numbers ) - Indices
                              PROBLEMS INVOLVING INDICES  		 
Converting To Base 10 Exponents Converting decimal numbers to base 10 exponents is a simple process since each place value in the decimal system increases by multiples of 10.

Starting with the units column, we can see it has the same value (1) as "10 to the power 0" which is equal to 1 (basic rule).
Also the tens column is the same value (10) as "10 to the power 1" (basic rule).

Examine the table below and you can verify that each place value can be expressed as 10 raised to an exponent, increasing in value by 1 as we go from right to left.

Using this fact, we can convert any decimal number by expressing the place value in exponent form. eg. 500 =   5 * 100 =    5 * 10 to the power 2.
 

  
Example
      		 
Summary/
Conclusion		 To express any decimal number in an exponential form using base 10 :
 Step 1.  Express the number in expanded notation. (eg 27 = (2 * 10) + (7 * 1).

Step 2.  Express the place value (eg. units, tens, hundreds) in the expanded notation format as an exponent with base 10. (eg 10 = 10 to the power 1; and 1 = 10 to the power 0).

(see example in above table).    

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