Scientific Notation

Front

What is scientific notation?

Back

A way of expressing numbers as a product of a coefficient and a power of 10, e.g., 3.2 x 10^4.

Front

How do you convert a number to scientific notation?

Back

Move the decimal point in the number until only one non-zero digit remains to the left. Count the number of places moved; this becomes the exponent of 10.

Front

What is the scientific notation for 0.00045?

Back

4.5 x 10^-4.

Front

What is the scientific notation for 5000?

Back

5.0 x 10^3.

Front

What does the exponent in scientific notation indicate?

Back

The exponent indicates how many places to move the decimal point. A positive exponent moves it to the right, while a negative exponent moves it to the left.

Front

How do you multiply numbers in scientific notation?

Back

Multiply the coefficients and add the exponents. E.g., (2 x 10^3) * (3 x 10^2) = 6 x 10^(3+2) = 6 x 10^5.

Front

How do you divide numbers in scientific notation?

Back

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

Front

What is the scientific notation for 1,200,000?

Back

1.2 x 10^6.

Front

What is the scientific notation for 0.00000789?

Back

7.89 x 10^-6.

Front

How do you add numbers in scientific notation?

Back

Convert to the same exponent, then add the coefficients. E.g., (2 x 10^3) + (3 x 10^3) = (2 + 3) x 10^3 = 5 x 10^3.