Skip to ContentGo to accessibility pageKeyboard shortcuts menu
OpenStax Logo
Algebra 1

5.6.8 Lesson Summary

Algebra 15.6.8 Lesson Summary

Search for key terms or text.

In this lesson, you learned how to:

  • Describe the meaning of a negative exponent in equations that represent exponential growth and decay.
  • Write equations that represent exponential growth and decay to solve problems.
  • Graph an equation that represents exponential decay to solve a problem.
  • Convert numbers between decimal form and scientific notation.
  • Use scientific notation to solve problems arising from real-world situations.

Here are the activities that helped you reach those goals:

  • 5.6.1: Checking Exponent Rules
    • In this activity, you reviewed performing operations with exponents, including negative exponents. You used the Product Property of Exponents to simplify the expressions.
  • 5.6.2: Interpreting Negative Exponents in Exponential Growth
    • In this activity, you wrote an equation of exponential growth to represent a real-life situation. You interpreted the meaning of negative exponents in this equation. You used negative exponents in exponential growth equations to solve real-world problems.
    • 5.6.2: Self Check
    • 5.6.2: Additional Resources
  • 5.6.3: Interpreting Negative Exponents in Exponential Decay
    • In this activity, you wrote an equation of exponential decay to represent a real-life situation. You also created a graph to represent the situation. You interpreted the meaning of negative exponents in this equation. You used negative exponents in exponential decay equations to solve real-world problems.
    • 5.6.3: Self Check
    • 5.6.3: Additional Resources
  • 5.6.4: Applying Scientific Notation
    • In this activity, you converted values between decimal form and scientific notation.
    • 5.6.4: Self Check
    • 5.6.4: Additional Resources
  • 5.6.5: Applying Scientific Notation
    • In this activity, you used what you know about scientific notation to solve real-world problems.
    • 5.6.5: Self Check
    • 5.6.5: Additional Resources
  • 5.6.6: Interpreting Negative Exponents and Scientific Notation
    • In this activity, you interpreted negative exponents in a scenario about the population of fish. Then you changed between the standard from and the scientific notation at specific points.

After these activities, you completed the following practice:

  • 5.6.7: Practice

Checking In

On a scale of 1 to 5, how confident do you feel about the learning goals of this lesson?

Citation/Attribution

This book may not be used in the training of large language models or otherwise be ingested into large language models or generative AI offerings without OpenStax's permission.

Want to cite, share, or modify this book? This book uses the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike License and you must attribute OpenStax.

Attribution information
  • If you are redistributing all or part of this book in a print format, then you must include on every physical page the following attribution:

    Access for free at https://openstax.org/books/algebra-1/pages/about-this-course

  • If you are redistributing all or part of this book in a digital format, then you must include on every digital page view the following attribution:

    Access for free at https://openstax.org/books/algebra-1/pages/about-this-course

Citation information

© May 21, 2025 OpenStax. Textbook content produced by OpenStax is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike License . The OpenStax name, OpenStax logo, OpenStax book covers, OpenStax CNX name, and OpenStax CNX logo are not subject to the Creative Commons license and may not be reproduced without the prior and express written consent of Rice University.