Scientific notation: positive exponent Scientific notation: is a method of writing large data for easier use and arithmetic manipulation. Rule: when writing a scientific notation, you always write one digit followed by a decimal point and the leftover digits. For example: let’s say you wish to convert the following number into scientific notation. 299 799 000 1. Well, you would write the first digit: 2 2. Now, you add a decimal: 2. Add the left over digits: 2.99799000 Add a multiple of 10: 2.99799000 x 10 Finally, you need to add an exponent of 10: To do so, you count the number of digits behind the 2. In this case, it is 8. So the exponent is 8. 2.99799000 x 108

Scientific notation: positive exponent 1. Well, you would write the first digit: 2 2. Now, you add a decimal: 2. Add the left over digits: 2.99799000 Add a multiple of 10: 2.99799000 x 10 Finally, you need to add an exponent of 10: To do so, you count the number of digits behind the 2. In this case, it is 8. So the exponent is 8. 2.99799000 x 108 If you wish to round the number, you 3.00 x 108 may do so.

Scientific notation: negative exponent But what if you have a decimal number. Let’s say you have the following number, what to do ? 0.0000356. Well, in this case you follow steps 1-4 1. Well, you would write the first non-zero digit: 3 2. Now, you add a decimal: 3. Add the left over digits: 3.56 Add a multiple of 10: 3.56 x 10 Finally, you need to add an exponent of 10: To do so, you count the number of digits in front of the 3, including 3. In this case, it is 5. So the exponent is 5, but it is also a negative exponent. 3.56 x 10-5