SCIENTIFIC NOTATION Scientific Notation should be used whenever a situation calls for the use of very large or very small numbers, such as distances in space or the size of an atom. 3.5 x x 10 -7
Writing a large number in SCIENTIFIC NOTATION STEP 1: 34,000,000,000 Move the decimal point to the left side of the first nonzero digit. 34,000,000,000. If a decimal point is not shown it is located on the right side of the number. STEP 2: Multiply this new number (3.4) by a power of ten. To determine the power of ten, count the number of places you moved the decimal point. 34,000,000,000. decimal moved 10 places = 3.4 × Numbers 1 or larger will have a positive exponent.
Writing a small number in SCIENTIFIC NOTATION STEP 1: Move the decimal point to the right side of the first nonzero number STEP 2: Multiply this new number (5.8) by a power of ten. To determine the power of ten, count the number of places you moved the decimal point Decimal moved 5 places = 5.8 × Numbers between 0 and 1 will have a negative exponent.
Let’s Practice Write each number in scientific notation. 1)4,500,000 2) )61,200 4) × × × × 10 -5