Main content
Course: Pre-algebra > Unit 11
Lesson 6: Scientific notation introScientific notation review
Review the basics of scientific notation and try some practice problems.
Scientific notation
A number is written in scientific notation when there is a number greater than or equal to but less than multiplied by a power of .
The following numbers are written in scientific notation:
Want to learn more about scientific notation? Check out this video.
Writing numbers in scientific notation
Numbers greater than
If we have a number greater than , we move the decimal point to the left until we have a number between and . Then, we count the number of times we moved the decimal and write that as an exponent over a base of . Finally, we write our number multiplied by the power of .
Example
Let's write in scientific notation.
If we move the decimal left once, we get . We need to keep moving the decimal until we get a number between and .
We have to move the decimal left a total of times.
Now, we have .
Finally, we multiply times :
Numbers less than
If we have a number less than , we move the decimal point to the right until we have a number between and . Then, we count the number of times we moved the decimal and write that as a negative exponent over a base of . Finally, we write our number multiplied by the power of .
Example
Let's write in scientific notation.
If we move the decimal right times, we get a number between and .
Now, we have .
Finally, we write times :
Want to join the conversation?
- I get confused on which way I should move the decimal for each exponent. Does anyone Have a trick or saying that helps them remember this.
Thanks.(47 votes)- A positive exponent means move to the right, and a negative exponent means move to the left.(31 votes)
- I don't understand this concept. Would someone explain a scientific notation problem for me? I'm not trying to sound "witty and intelligent" as EAP said down there. I'm actually struggling. Please help me with this concept so I don't get summer slide...(12 votes)
- Scientific notation is simple. You use it when there is a very big number that is too hard to read, so you make it shorter. Let's take 0.00014, you have to move the decimal to the right until you get a number that is between 1 and 10. You get 1.4, so you count how many spaces you moved to the right. If you count, you moved 4 to the right, so the base will be 1.4 and the exponent will be -4. The reason why it is a negative is because when moving to the right, it is negative, and moving left, it's positive. So the full statement will be 1.4 x 10 to the power of -4.
Now, let's take 12000000. You have to move to the left this time. You might not see the decimal, but it comes after the last zero. You move that invisible decimal to the left, and you move it 7 to the left. This makes the exponent positive, so it is 1.2 x 10 to the power of 7.
Note: You must always use 10.(7 votes)
- This is so hard how do you know neg and pos(7 votes)
- If your original number in standard form is a large number, then you get a positive exponents.
For example: 5,000,000 = 5 x 10^6
If your original number in standard form was a decimal, then you would have a negative exponent.
For example: 0.00006 = 6 x 10^(-5)
Hope this helps.(15 votes)
- why did people make scientific notation?(1 vote)
- In order to simplify numbers that are to big(8 votes)
- When you have dissimilar exponent, when doing addition and subtraction, what rule is used to determine which side gets adjusted? For instance,
. Which side of the equation do you adjust, the -4 or the -3 side?1.7*10^-4 + 3.5*10^-3
(2 votes)- Both sides would work, as long as you factor out the power of ten, and then add and convert properly.(4 votes)
- How do negative numbers in scientific notation work? (34*10 to the negative 6th power)(1 vote)
- x to the negative y =
1/x^y
So for example, 10 to the negative two would be 0.01 since it's 1/100
More info here: https://www.khanacademy.org/math/pre-algebra/pre-algebra-exponents-radicals/pre-algebra-negative-exponents/v/negative-exponents(4 votes)
- Is there negative scientific notation? It says that it has to be more/equal to one and less than 10. Would it be like this?
-3 * 10^3
=
-3000(1 vote)- Yes, you can do that. For some reason, positive numbers are generally used when doing scientific notation. But, they can be negative. The important thing is that the number before the "times 10s" should have only 1 digit on the left of the decimal point and the digit can't be a zero.(4 votes)
- Wow, I actually get this now.(2 votes)
- Do we have to put a number before the decimal as in 3.01 x 10(7)? Can't we write it like 0.301 x 10(8)?(1 vote)
- This is because the formula for scientific notation is a*10^n. In this formula, a must be at least 1 and less than 10. I don't know why that is the rule.(2 votes)
- What if its already between 1 and 10?(1 vote)