Final answer:
To compare two quantities using powers of 10, you can convert the measurements to the same unit. For example, if one quantity is in meters and the other is in kilometers, you can use the conversion factor of 1 kilometer = 1,000 meters to convert the measurements. Then, compare the values to determine which quantity is larger or smaller.
Step-by-step explanation:
One example of a word problem comparing two quantities that can be estimated with powers of 10 is:
John's house is 1,000 meters away from the school, while Sarah's house is 0.01 kilometers away from the school. Which house is closer to the school?
To compare the distances, we can convert both measurements to the same unit using powers of 10. We know that 1 kilometer is equal to 1,000 meters, so Sarah's house is 0.01 kilometers * 1,000 meters/kilometer = 10 meters away from the school. Therefore, John's house, which is 1,000 meters away, is closer to the school.