Scientific Notation Operations

Front

What is scientific notation?

Back

A way to express very large or very small numbers using powers of ten. For example, 3000 can be written as 3 x 10^3.

Front

How do you add numbers in scientific notation?

Back

Align the powers of ten. If necessary, convert one number to have the same exponent as the other, then add the coefficients.

Front

How do you subtract numbers in scientific notation?

Back

Align the powers of ten. Convert one number to have the same exponent as the other, then subtract the coefficients.

Front

What is the product of two numbers in scientific notation?

Back

Multiply the coefficients and add the exponents. For example, (2 x 10^3)(3 x 10^2) = 6 x 10^(3+2) = 6 x 10^5.

Front

What is the quotient of two numbers in scientific notation?

Back

Divide the coefficients and subtract the exponents. For example, (6 x 10^5) / (2 x 10^2) = 3 x 10^(5-2) = 3 x 10^3.

Front

What is the value of 1 x 10^0?

Back

1, because any number raised to the power of zero is 1.

Front

How do you convert a number from standard form to scientific notation?

Back

Move the decimal point to create a number between 1 and 10, then count the number of places moved to determine the exponent.

Front

What is the significance of the exponent in scientific notation?

Back

The exponent indicates how many times to multiply the base (10) by itself. A positive exponent means a large number, while a negative exponent indicates a small number.

Front

What is the result of (4 x 10^3) + (5 x 10^3)?

Back

9 x 10^3, since the exponents are the same.

Front

What is the result of (2 x 10^5) - (1 x 10^5)?

Back

1 x 10^5, since the exponents are the same.