Scientific Notation and Exponents

Front

What is scientific notation?

Back

A way to express very large or very small numbers using powers of ten. For example, 4500 can be written as 4.5 x 10^3.

Front

What does the exponent in scientific notation indicate?

Back

The exponent indicates how many times the base (10) is multiplied by itself. For example, 10^3 means 10 x 10 x 10.

Front

How do you convert a standard number to scientific notation?

Back

Move the decimal point in the number until only one non-zero digit remains to its left, then count the number of places moved to determine the exponent.

Front

What is the scientific notation for 0.00056?

Back

5.6 x 10^-4.

Front

How do you multiply numbers in scientific notation?

Back

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

Front

What is the result of (2 x 10^4) * (3 x 10^2)?

Back

6 x 10^6.

Front

How do you divide 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 result of (8 x 10^6) / (4 x 10^3)?

Back

2 x 10^3.

Front

What does a negative exponent indicate?

Back

A negative exponent indicates that the number is a fraction. For example, 10^-2 = 1/10^2 = 1/100.

Front

What is the simplified form of x^4 * x^3?

Back

x^(4+3) = x^7.