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Standard form writes very large or very small numbers as A × 10ⁿ where 1 ≤ A < 10. This topic converts to and from standard form and calculates with it, with and without a calculator. It's a core topic in GCSE and iGCSE Maths with Edexcel and the other major boards. This free interactive course teaches the method with worked examples and gives instant-feedback practice questions to lock it in.
How you do it
Write the number as a value between 1 and 10 multiplied by a power of ten. Count how many places the decimal point moves; moving left gives a positive power, moving right a negative one. When multiplying, multiply the front numbers and add the powers.
Before you start
It assumes you can handle index laws and place value. Later work on science calculations and very large or small quantities assumes it. Assessed at Foundation and Higher tier.
What you learn
Standard form writes very big or very small numbers compactly as A × 10 n. It’s essential in science and a guaranteed topic on the paper. Standard form is A × 10 n, where A is at least 1 but less than 10, and n is a whole number. The power tells you how far to move the decimal point. The course works through what standard form is, converting back to ordinary numbers and ordering standard form. Every section has instant-feedback practice questions matched to Edexcel iGCSE 4MA1 and the other major GCSE boards, and the course finishes with full exam-style questions you mark yourself.
Related Topics
Standard Form is a Number topic in the GCSE syllabus, covered here at Foundation tier. The course is built from 3 concept sections, 2 worked examples and 3 check points before the exam-style set. It sits alongside Standard Units & Measures, Surds and Systematic Listing in the same strand. For unlimited practice, the Number revision engine builds new questions on demand and records your accuracy.
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