Scientific Notation

A way of expressing numbers that are too large or too small to be conveniently written in decimal form, using powers of ten.

Multiply the coefficients and add the exponents. For example, (1.4 x 10^5)(2 x 10^7) = (1.4*2) x 10^(5+7) = 2.8 x 10^12.

-0.0056.

Move the decimal point to create a number between 1 and 10, then count the number of places moved to determine the exponent. For example, 450,000 = 4.5 x 10^5.

The exponent indicates how many places to move the decimal point. A positive exponent means move to the right, and a negative exponent means move to the left.

Compare the exponents first. If they are the same, compare the coefficients.

3,410,000.

15 x 10^5 or 1.5 x 10^6.

-5.6 x 10^-4.

5 x 10^4.