Pre Algebra Unit 4 Scientific Notation Alternate Portfolio

Question

You are a Scientist and have just made an amazing discovery of a previously unknown planet with a diameter that is 30 times or 3 x 10 ^ 1 bigger than the diameter of the Earth. Your planet’s distance from the Sun is 10,000,000,000 miles or 10^10.

Information to know and task to complete: The Earth has a diameter of 7,917.5 miles or 7.9157 x 10 ^3 miles. If your planet is 30 times or 3 x 10 ^ 1 bigger than the diameter of the Earth, what is your planet’s diameter?

The Earth is about 93,000,000 miles or 9.3 x 10^7 away from the sun. Your planet’s distance from the Sun is 10,000,000,000 miles or 10^10. Use what you have learned about subtraction with scientific notation to find the difference between your planet’s distance from the Sun and the Earth’s distance from the Sun.

For this portfolio, you will make a poster, drawing, presentation/ ppt, google slides, or computer generated image that depicts the Earth and your newly discovered planet. You will use scientific notation to determine what is the diameter of your planet and the difference between the distance that the earth is from the sun and the distance that your planet is from the sun.

Be creative and arranged in an orderly manner.

What should your portfolio include:

Images of the Earth and your new planet.

Labels for the planets. Give your planet a name.

Clearly include both planets’ diameter and distance from the Sun.

In a short paragraph describe your planet and show your work using scientific notation where you find the diameter of your planet and the difference between the distance that the earth is from the sun and the distance that your planet is.

Hint: You should multiply to find the diameter of your planet. You should use subtraction to find the difference between the distance that the earth is from the sun and the distance that your planet is.

Answer 1

Here is an example of a portfolio that could be created for this pre-algebra unit on scientific notation:

Title: The Discovery of Planet X

Introduction:
In this portfolio, we will explore the discovery of a new planet, which we will call Planet X. Through scientific notation, we will determine the diameter of Planet X and the difference in distance from the Sun compared to Earth.

Image of the Earth:
Include an image or drawing of the Earth, labeled with its diameter and distance from the Sun.

Image of Planet X:
Include an image or drawing of Planet X, labeled with its diameter and distance from the Sun. Be creative and use colors or symbols to represent this mysterious new planet.

Determining the diameter of Planet X:
To find the diameter of Planet X, we know that it is 30 times bigger than Earth's diameter. The diameter of Earth is 7.9157 x 10^3 miles. Using scientific notation, we can calculate the diameter of Planet X:

Diameter of Planet X = (3 x 10^1) * (7.9157 x 10^3)
= 2.37471 x 10^5 miles

By multiplying the coefficients and adding the exponents, we find that the diameter of Planet X is 2.37471 x 10^5 miles.

Determining the difference in distance from the Sun:
The distance from the Sun to Earth is 9.3 x 10^7 miles, while the distance from the Sun to Planet X is 10^10 miles. To find the difference, we subtract the distance to Earth from the distance to Planet X:

Difference = (10^10) - (9.3 x 10^7)
= 9.99907 x 10^9 miles

The difference in distance from the Sun between Earth and Planet X is 9.99907 x 10^9 miles.

Conclusion:
In conclusion, our newly discovered planet, Planet X, has a diameter of 2.37471 x 10^5 miles, making it 30 times bigger than Earth. Additionally, the distance from the Sun to Planet X is 9.99907 x 10^9 miles, which is greater than the distance to Earth. Through the use of scientific notation, we were able to analyze and compare the characteristics of both planets accurately. This discovery opens up a whole new world of possibilities for further exploration and understanding of our vast universe.