Learning pack · IGCSE handout

Standard Form

What's in this pack: printable worksheet PDF, matching answers PDF (IGCSE / Secure–Stretch practice). Standard form $a\times10^n$ with $1\le|a|<10$ handles very large or small numbers cleanly.

Resources at the top · full summary · videos with short notes below.

🎒 Resources in this pack

Jump straight to the printable files, or scroll to the summary and videos.

Scaffolded Learning Sheet — attempt the worksheet, then use the Answers for a full written solution.

📝 Open Learning Sheet ✅ Open answers 🎬 More topic videos (6)📖 Full summary

Files: 20_standard_form_handout.pdf · 20_standard_form_handout_answers.pdf

Full topic summary

Standard form $a\times10^n$ with $1\le|a|<10$ handles very large or small numbers cleanly.

Key learning points

Convert by moving the decimal point and counting powers of 10.
Multiply: multiply $a$ s and add indices; divide: divide $a$ s and subtract indices; then renormalise.
Calculator standard-form mode is useful for checks, not a substitute for method.

Worked example 1 — Convert

Write $45000$ in standard form.

Working

4.5\times10^4

One non-zero digit before the point.

Worked example 2 — Ordinary number

Write $3.2\times10^{-3}$ ordinarily.

Working

0.0032

Move the point 3 places left.

Worked example 3 — Multiply

$(2\times10^3)(3\times10^4)$ .

Working

6\times10^7

Multiply coefficients; add indices.

🎬 Topic videos

Triangle of Power
3Blue1Brown · 8 min
Enrichment / curiosity clip for Lower Secondary (Numberphile-style). Use for hooks, clubs, or stretch — not core exam content.
Indeterminate: the hidden power of 0 divided by 0
Mathologer · 13 min
Enrichment / curiosity clip for Lower Secondary (Numberphile-style). Use for hooks, clubs, or stretch — not core exam content.
What is 0 to the power of 0?
Eddie Woo · 14 min
Lower Secondary classroom-friendly explainer. Scaffold→stretch friendly; use with mixed-ability groups.
Math Antics - Exponents and Square Roots
Math Antics · 11 min
Lower Secondary classroom-friendly explainer. Scaffold→stretch friendly; use with mixed-ability groups.
Math Antics - Intro To Exponents (aka Indices)
Math Antics · 10 min
Lower Secondary classroom-friendly explainer. Scaffold→stretch friendly; use with mixed-ability groups.
Algebra Basics: Exponents In Algebra - Math Antics
Math Antics · 12 min
Lower Secondary classroom-friendly explainer. Scaffold→stretch friendly; use with mixed-ability groups.

More Lower Secondary packs

Browse the hub Learning Packs & Summary, or open the compact Standard Form summary.