Scientific Notation Scientific Notation is used to so that REALLY REALLY BIG numbers and REALLY REALY SMALL numbers can be expressed much easier. For example, would you like to have to explain the distance to the Sun in meters? There are positive and negative exponents used with scientific notation. THE RULE: Move decimal places until there is only ONE number to the LEFT of the decimal. That’s it!!! Examples: Put the following into scientific notation: 273,000,000,000,000,000 = 78,000,000,000 = 5,678,000,000,000,000 = 0.000034 = 0.000000000456 = 0.0000000000006 = Mrs. Degl