Understanding Metric Prefixes and Scientific Notation

Front

Kilo[base unit]

Back

1000 of base unit

Example: 1 kilogram every 1000 grams

Gram= base unit

Kilo=prefix

Front

Centi[base unit]

Back

1/100 of base unit

Example: 100 centigrams every 1 gram

Gram= base unit

Centi=prefix

Front

Milli[base unit]

Back

1/1000 of base unit

Example: 100 millimeters every 1 meter

Meter=base unit

Milli=prefix

Front

Interpreting Scientific Notation.

Notice x10^(a power “the exponent”)

If the exponent is negative, move the decimal point to the… (Left/Right)?

Example: 3.21x10^-3

Answer: ?

If the exponent is positive, move the decimal point to the… (Left/Right)?

Example: 3.21x10^3

Answer: ?

Back

If the exponent is negative, move the decimal point to the LEFT

Example: 3.21x10^-3

Answer: 0.00321

If the exponent is positive, move the decimal point to the RIGHT

Example: 3.21x10^3

Answer: 3210

Front

When you have a very large or very small number, you might need to express it in scientific notation.

Scientific notation represents numbers as a product of a number and a power of ten, like x10^(exponent).

When shifting the decimal point to the right, will the exponent be… (Positive or Negative)?

Example: 0.0000456

Answer: ?

When shifting the decimal point to the left, will the exponent be… (Positive or Negative)?

Example: 45600000.

Answer: ?

Back

When shifting the decimal point to the right, the exponent will be NEGATIVE

Example: 0.0000456

Answer: 4.56x10^-5

When shifting the decimal point to the left, the exponent will be POSITIVE

Example: 45600000.

Answer: 4.56x10^7

Front

Converting to Scientific Notation

How do you convert 0.00045 to scientific notation?

Answer: ?

Back

Move the decimal point to the right until you have a number between 1 and 10. Count the number of places moved. This is the negative exponent.

Answer: 4.5x10^-4

Front

Dimensional Analysis Steps

Back

1. Identify the unit we have and the unit we want

2. Write given value on the left

3. Set up conversion factors (write what you're given on bottom, what you want on top)

4. Cancel out units

5. Multiply top and divide bottom

Front

I need to drive 10000 meters. How many kilometers is that?

Back

10 kilometers

Front

Converting Large Numbers to Scientific Notation

How do you convert 123000000 to scientific notation?

Answer: ?

Back

Move the decimal point to the left until you have a number between 1 and 10. Count the number of places moved. This is the positive exponent.

Answer: 1.23x10^8

Front

A student is trying to write 45,000 in scientific notation. What did they do wrong?

Scientific Notation Incorrect: 45,000 = 4.5 x 10^3

Back

Corrected: 45,000 = 4.5 x 10^4

They did not count spaces moved for decimal point correctly