Scientific Notation How to cope with really big and really small numbers…

The setup In chemistry, we deal with numbers that are often times too big to put into a calculator. Ex:

So how do we manage them? The secret is the decimal, and factors of = = = = 10,000 Etc…

So… 5 x 10 3 = 5 x 1000 = 5000 And… 60,000 = 6 x 10,000 = 6 x 10 4

Converting to Scientific Notation Start with a number Move the decimal to the right of the first digit Count the spaces you moved left: This is your power of ten. 1.3 x 10 7 Trim off extra zeros on the right

Let’s try a few 65, ,000 32,000, x x x 10 7

And backwards… 3.45 x x x ,500 54,370,

What about decimals? This is handled in the same way, but with a negative exponent 2.3 x 10 -9

Let’s try a few x x x 10 -6

Remember! Negative exponents equate with numbers less than one. Positive exponents equate with numbers that are larger than one.

Some simple rules Only one digit is allowed to the left of the decimal when in scientific notation. The exponent on the ten has to equal the number of spaces the decimal moves.

Assignment Page ,79,80,93 Show fences and rails for any metric conversions