1. Essential Math of Biology

2. SI Prefixes Also, 1 mL = 1 cm3 and 1 L = 1 dm3 kilo- (k) 1000
deci- (d) 1/10
centi- (c) 1/100
milli- (m) 1/1000
micro- (µ) 1/1,000,000
nano- (n) 1/1,000,000,000
Also,
1 mL = 1 cm3 and 1 L = 1 dm3

3. The SI unit for length is the meter.

4. The SI unit for volume is the cubic meter (m3), but in biology we use liters, milliliters, or even microliters.

5. The SI unit for mass is the kilogram
The SI unit for mass is the kilogram. In Biology you will almost always measure mass in grams.

6. Scientific Notation
-- used to express very large or very small numbers, and/or to indicate precision
(i.e., to maintain the correct number of significant figures)
Form: (# from 1.0 to 9.999) x 10exponent
800 = 8 x 10 x 10
= 8 x 102
2531 = x 10 x 10 x 10
= x 103 =
= 1.4 x 10–3

7. Change to scientific notation. 12,340 = 1.234 x 104
Put in standard form.
1.87 x 10–5 =
3.7 x 108 = 370,000,000
7.88 x 101 = 78.8
2.164 x 10–2 =
Change to scientific notation.
12,340 = x 104
0.369 = 3.69 x 10–1
0.008 = 8 x 10–3
1,000,000,000 = 1 x 109
6.02 x 1023 =
602,000,000,000,000,000,000,000

8. Using the Exponent Key
EXP EE

9. The EE or EXP or E key means “times 10 to the…”
How to type out 6.02 x 1023:
How to type out 6.02 x 1023: 6 EE . 3 2 6 EE . 3 2
not…
WRONG! 6
y x . 3 2
WRONG!
or… x 1 6 . 2 EE 3
and not…
TOO MUCH WORK.
y x 3 2 x 1 6 .

10. Bored? Knowing how to use your calculator correctly might save you someday…
Enter -22 into your calculator and figure out what went wrong.