Scientific Notation

prefixsymbolPower of tenmeaning gigaG10 9 billion megaM10 6 million kilok10 3 thousand centic10 -2 hundredth millim10 -3 thousandth microμ10 -6 millionth nanon10 -9 billionth

10 3 = = = = = =0.01

ones column – x10 0 =6

tens column – x10 1 =50

hundreds column – x10 2 =400

tenths column – x10 -1 =0.7 or seven tenths

Distance to the Moon For over 25 years, scientists have been accurately measuring the distance to the Moon by shining lasers through telescopes. The laser beam reflects off reflectors placed on the surface of the Moon by Apollo astronauts. They have determined that the average distance between the centers of Earth and the Moon is 385,000 km, and it is known with an accuracy of better than one part in 10 billion.

The average distance between the centers of Earth and the Moon is 385,000 km. Express this distance in scientific notation in both kilometers and meters. 3.85x10 5 km or 3.85x10 8 m

385,000 km; and it is known with an accuracy of better than one part in 10 billion. How accurately do we know the distance between the earth and moon? Express your answer in kilometers and in centimeters.

Using this laser technique, scientists also have discovered that the Moon is receding from Earth at about 3.8 cm/yr. How long will it take for the moon to recede 1 km (about 0.62 miles)?

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