Scientific Notation Concepts and Exponents

The video tutorial explains how to write numbers in scientific notation by adjusting the decimal point to create a number between 1 and 10, followed by a power of ten. It provides two examples: one for a large number, resulting in a positive exponent, and another for a small number, resulting in a negative exponent. The key takeaway is that large numbers have positive exponents, while small numbers have negative exponents.

What is the first step in writing a number in scientific notation?

• Divide the number by 10.

• Add a positive exponent to the number.

• Move the decimal point to form a number between 1 and 10.

• Multiply the number by 10.

In the first example, how many places do you move the decimal point to convert the number to scientific notation?

• Five places to the right

• Three places to the left

• Six places to the left

• Four places to the right

Why is the exponent positive in the first example?

• Because the original number is small

• Because the decimal point is not moved

• Because the decimal point is moved to the right

• Because the original number is large

In the second example, how many places do you move the decimal point to convert the number to scientific notation?

• Two places to the left

• Four places to the right

• Three places to the right

• Five places to the left

Why is the exponent negative in the second example?

• Because the original number is large

• Because the original number is small

• Because the decimal point is not moved

• Because the decimal point is moved to the left