Standard and Scientific Notation

What are they? Standard Notation: a number written as a digit and nothing else. Scientific Notation: a way to write numbers that makes it easier to write large and small numbers. Written in 2 parts: A digit between 1 and 9.9 (decimal point is after the first number) X 10 to a power

Converting from standard notation to scientific notation: All you are doing is moving the decimal place! Find the decimal, mark if necessary. Mark where the decimal needs to go. Count how many places the decimal moved: this is your power. Decimal left: positive exponent Decimal right: negative exponent Write the number in this format: a X 10b

Examples: Stand Up, Hand Up, Pair-Up 3,462 0.612 749 0.0000015402 0.0112 88,996

Example Answers 3.462 X 103 6.12 X 10-1 7.49 X 102 1.5402 X 10-6 1.12 X 10-2 8.8996 X 104

Convert from scientific notation to standard notation Look at the exponent. This is how far you move the decimal. Positive number: move the decimal right. Negative number: move the decimal left. Drop the X 10b Move the decimal and fill in the zeroes for spaces.

Examples 2.602 X 104 3.21 X 10-2 1.8900521 X 104 6.5 X 10-6 7.945 X 105 3.500684 X 100

Example Answers 26020 0.0321 18,900.521 0.0000065 794,500 3.500684

In the given pairs, which number is bigger? Hint: It may help to convert them from scientific notation to standard numbers to compare. 0.45 or 5.6 X 10-2 6.45 X 105 or 6.45 X 108 5 X 10-4 or 6 X 10-3 54.3 X 10-5 or 5.43 X 10-4