NUMBER

Powers Of Ten

Learn the reliable method for powers of ten, then apply it to 11+ exam-style questions.

1 · WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

The idea

Multiplying or dividing by a power of ten changes every digit's place value.

Picture itGroup digits by their whole-number place
2 · THE METHOD

Follow these steps

  1. Identify the exponent or number of factors of ten.
  2. Shift every digit the required number of places using zero placeholders.
  3. Check whether multiplication made the value larger or division made it smaller.
3 · WORKED EXAMPLES

See the method in action

Example 1

What is 53 × 10⁴?

  1. 10⁴ = 10000, so 53 × 10000 = 530000.
Answer: 530000
Example 2

How many times greater is 5,200 than 52?

  1. First identify the relevant place-value or representation relationship.
  2. Then 5,200 ÷ 52 = 100.
  3. Finally, check the result against every value or position stated in the question.
Answer: 100
4 · ELEVENSPRINT TIP

A useful shortcut

Check whether multiplication made the value larger or division made it smaller.

5 · COMMON MISTAKES

Watch out for these

6 · TRY IT YOURSELF

Three fresh questions

Ready to check the method? You will get three fresh, validated questions.