Practice 2

1 Find the value of each of the following. Write your answer as either a whole number

or a fraction.

−2 0 −3 −5 2
a 6 b (−3) c 10 d 1 e (−8)

−1 3 −3 0 −6
f (−9) g 7 h 4 i 5 j (−2)

k l m n o

−2 −2 2
p −12 q (−12) r 0 s t

b
2 Rewrite each of the following in the form a , where a and b are integers (no fractions).

a 4 × 4 × 4 × 4 × 4 × 4 b c

d e −7 (−7) (−7) (−7) (−7)

3 Order the quantities in each set of four from lowest to highest. Show your working.

−1 0
−2

0 −2 1 −2 −1
a 5 4 3 b 2 3

2 2

−1 −2 −3 0 −1 1
c 7 2 1 d 1 3 0

0
4 Ricardo says: “5 equals zero because you have zero 5s, which means you don’t have

anything. You have zero.” Explain any faults in his thinking.

5 Talei says: “Negative exponents make fractions. If the negative exponent is already in

the denominator of a fraction, then it makes an integer.” Is Talei correct? Explain.

6 Anna says: “ must be 4 since you have half of 8.” Explain why this thinking is

faulty.

7 Thomas states: “A positive exponent is the number of times you multiply the base.

A negative exponent is the number of times you divide by the base.” Do you agree?

Explain your answer.

Continued on next page

16 1 Number
 N U M B E R

8 The development of the current metric system of units began in France in the

18thcentury. Basic units for measurements like angles, lengths, mass and capacity

were created, often derived from the properties of natural objects such as water. For

example, 1 liter of water has a mass of 1 kg. Multiples or divisions of these units

could be created by using prexes, such as those used in the units millimeter and

kilogram. Some of the prexes are given in the table below. Copy and complete

thetable.

Prex Exponential form Expanded form

9
giga 10

mega 1 000 000

3
kilo 10

1
deci 10

centi

100

milli

1000

6
micro 10

nano

1 000 000 000

12
pico 10

femto

1 000 000 000 000 000

18
atto 10

n
k
b
e

A set of 14 year old twins created the Scale of the Universe application, which allows

you to see how large dierent powers of 10 are. Go to the site http://htwins.net/scale2/

where you can scroll to see everything from the smallest of subatomic particles to the

largest of celestial objects.

Multiplying powers

2 4

You already know that 2 means 2 × 2 and 2 means 2 × 2 × 2 ×2.

2 4

Is it possible to multiply 2 and 2 and, if so, how is this similar

or dierent to the multiplication you do already? In the following

investigations you will look for patterns and determine general

rules about how to nd the product of two or more powers.

17