Printable Powers of Ten Worksheets
Powers of ten worksheets teach 5th grade students to multiply and divide by 10^1, 10^2, and 10^3 using decimal shifting. These printable pages feature place value patterns and complete answer keys.
Powers of Ten Practice Pack. Ready to Print.
Structured, printable skill sheets with step-by-step guidance for Powers of Ten.
Build My PacketIncluded with Practice Buds MembershipTargeted Practice by Skill
Write powers of ten in exponent form
Write as a power of ten
Write powers of ten in exponent form
Write the standard form
Multiply by powers of ten
Multiply by 10s and explain patterns
Multiply by powers of ten
Multiply by powers of ten in stories
Divide by powers of ten
Divide by 10s and explain patterns
Divide by powers of ten
Divide by powers of ten in stories
About Powers of Ten
What this skill is
Powers of ten express place value multiples as exponents (10^1 = 10, 10^2 = 100, 10^3 = 1,000), where the exponent directly indicates the number of zeros or decimal places shifted.
When children learn it
Explaining patterns in the number of zeros and the placement of decimal points when multiplying or dividing by powers of 10 is a major 5th grade standard (CCSS 5.NBT.A.2).
Teaching Tips
- Teach the "Exponent Tells the Hops" rule: 10^3 has an exponent 3, so hop the decimal point 3 places! If multiplying, hop right to make it bigger; if dividing, hop left to make it smaller.
Common Mistakes
- Moving the decimal point in the wrong direction (moving left when multiplying or right when dividing).
- Counting the exponent as a multiplier rather than a zero count.
- Dropping significant zeros during decimal shifts.