Scientific Notation

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A brief description on how to convert decimals into scientific noation

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Scientific Notation : 

Scientific Notation by Ann Riedl, Ph.D., Biology Department, Front Range Community College

Slide 2: 

Scientific notation is a system of working with numbers that is designed to make it easier (yes, easier!) to work with very large and very small number It is based on the decimal system Any number can be converted into scientific notation after first being converted into a decimal 1,000,000,000 1,000,000,000,000,000 0.0000000001 1,000,000 0.00001

Slide 3: 

To convert a decimal into scientific notation, the decimal point is moved until it is just right of the first numeral The number of spaces the decimal point moves to the left becomes the exponent Example: 1200 becomes 1.2x103 12000 1 2 3

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Let’s practice - convert the following numbers into scientific notation: = 1.4x105 = 8.5x107 = 3x102 300 85,000,000 140,000

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Scientific notation also works for numbers that are less than one Again, the decimal point is moved to just right of the first numeral When the decimal point is moved right, the exponent is a negative number Example: 0.0012 becomes 1.2x10-3 00012 3 2 1

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Let’s practice - convert the following numbers into scientific notation: = 8.6x10-8 = 4.5x10-6 = 3x10-2 0000000086 00000045 003

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The beauty of this system becomes evident when you need to convert by factors of ten To multiply a number by ten, just add one to the exponent To divide a number by ten, just subtract one from the exponent Example: 1200 becomes 1.2x103 12000 becomes 1.2x104 120 becomes 1.2x102

Slide 8: 

Let’s practice – do the following calculations: = 1 x 105 = 4.3 x 102 = 6 x 1010 = 3 x 10-2 = 7.4 x 10-7 1x104 x 10 4.3x103 ÷ 10 7.4x10-5 ÷ 100 6x108 x 100 3x10-3 x 10