Scientific Notation Word Problems

Front

What is scientific notation?

Back

A way to express very large or very small numbers using powers of ten, written in the form a × 10^n, where 1 ≤ a < 10 and n is an integer.

Front

How do you add numbers in scientific notation?

Back

Align the numbers to the same power of ten, then add the coefficients. Adjust the result if necessary to maintain proper scientific notation.

Front

How do you subtract numbers in scientific notation?

Back

Align the numbers to the same power of ten, then subtract the coefficients. Adjust the result if necessary to maintain proper scientific notation.

Front

How do you multiply numbers in scientific notation?

Back

Multiply the coefficients and add the exponents of the powers of ten. The result is in the form a × 10^n.

Front

How do you divide numbers in scientific notation?

Back

Divide the coefficients and subtract the exponents of the powers of ten. The result is in the form a × 10^n.

Front

What is the purpose of using scientific notation?

Back

To simplify calculations and make it easier to read and write very large or very small numbers.

Front

Example of adding in scientific notation: 3.5 × 10^6 + 8.5 × 10^6 = ?

Back

12.0 × 10^6 or 1.2 × 10^7 after adjusting to proper scientific notation.

Front

Example of multiplying in scientific notation: (2 × 10^3) × (4 × 10^2) = ?

Back

8 × 10^5.

Front

Example of dividing in scientific notation: (1.5 × 10^6) ÷ (3 × 10^2) = ?

Back

0.5 × 10^4 or 5 × 10^3 after adjusting to proper scientific notation.

Front

What is the significance of the exponent in scientific notation?

Back

The exponent indicates the number of places the decimal point is moved, determining the scale of the number.