A number is expressed in scientific notation when it is written as the product of a
factor and a power of 10.
Examples:
Standard Form
2,700,000,000
=
0.00041
=
Scientific Notation
2.7 x 109
4.1 x 10-4
From Scientific Notation to Standards form..
1) Move the decimal the number of times the exponent tells you to.
a. If the exponent is positive then move right
b. If the exponent is negative then move left
Examples:
1)
5.6 x 104
move the decimal 4 places right
So in standard form 5.6 x 104 = 56,000
2)
8.2 x 10 -3 move the decimal 3 places left
So in standard form 8.2 x 10-3 = 0.0082
From Standard form to scientific notation…
1. Move decimal point to the right of the first nonzero digit so that it’s
“second in line”
2. Count the number of decimal places you moved
3. That is the power of 10 you multiply your decimal by
a. If you moved your decimal left to get it second in line, then your
exponent is positive
b. If you moved your decimal right to get it second in line, then your
exponent is negative.
Examples:
1) 3,700,000,000,000
Move the decimal so it is second in line to get 3.7
So 3,7000,000,000 in scientific notation = 3.7 x 1012
2) 0.0000073
move the decimal so it is second in line to get 7.3
So 0.0000073 in scientific notation = 7.3 x10-6