Subtracting Scientific Notation Riddle Activity | Scientific Notation Practice
Practice subtracting numbers in scientific notation with this Subtracting Scientific Notation Riddle Activity. Students solve scientific notation subtraction problems, then use their answers to complete the riddle.
This activity includes 12 subtraction problems with answers in both positive and negative form. The problems are designed as introductory practice, giving students time to focus on making the exponents match before subtracting the coefficients.
Students will need to move the decimal point to the left or right so both numbers have the same power of ten. After solving, they match their answers to the riddle key. If their answers are incorrect, the riddle will not work correctly, giving students a built-in way to check their work.
What’s Included:
• 12 scientific notation subtraction problems
• Blank riddle answer page
• Answer key
• Print-ready student pages
Perfect for:
• Subtracting scientific notation
• Scientific notation operations
• Matching exponents
• Moving decimal points
• Positive and negative answers
• 8th grade expressions and equations
• CCSS 8.EE.A.4
• Math centers
• Independent practice
• Homework
• Sub plans
Matching exponents before subtracting helps students understand that scientific notation subtraction depends on place value, not just subtracting the coefficients right away.
Join my mailing list and you’ll also get access to my FREE Resource Library filled with resources you can use right away.
Sign up here → Click Here to Sign Up
Stay Connected
You can also connect with me here:
Click here to Follow me on Facebook
Click here to Follow me on Instagram
Click here to Follow me on Pinterest
Terms of Use
This resource is for one teacher only. Additional teachers will need to purchase their own license. You may use this resource with your own students in your classroom or password-protected learning platform.
Please do not share, post, copy, sell, or upload this resource anywhere that others can access it.
If you need additional licenses or have questions, please contact me at learningmaderadical@gmail.com.
© 2026 Kara Holland. All rights reserved.