1. Helping us write really tiny or really big numbers
Scientific Notation
Helping us write really tiny or
really big numbers

2. Carelessness when using numbers
I have a million math problems to do
I have a trillion things to get done tonight
If you win 1 million dollars and you’re given the prize in 100 dollar bills, your stack of money is….
4 inches high

3. However…
If you win 1 trillion dollars and you’re given the prize in 100 dollar bills, your stack of money is….
67 miles high

4. Rules to Scientific Notation
Parts:
1. Coefficient (mantissa) – must be a number from 1 – 9.9
2. Exponent – a power of 10
3.4 x 106
Easier than writing 3,400,000

5. Numbers Greater Than 10
Find the number by moving the decimal point that is between 1 – 9.9
45,300,000  4.53
Write a positive exponent which is equal to the number of places you moved the decimal point to the left.
4.53 x 107

6. Numbers Less Than 1
Find the number by moving the decimal point that is between 1 – 9.9
 2.91
Write a negative exponent which is equal to the number of places you moved the decimal point to the right.
2.91 x 10-4

7. Math Operations & Sci. Notation
For Multiplication:
multiply coefficients
add exponents
(3.0 x 104) x (2.0 x 102) = 6.0 x 106
3 x 2 = = 6

8. Math Operations & Sci. Notation
For Division:
divide coefficients
subtract exponents
(6.4 x 106) / (1.7 x 102) = 3.8 x 104
6.4 / 1.7 = – 2 = 4

9. Be Careful… Remember the rule about the coefficient!
Ex. (4.0 x 103) x (3.0 x 104) = x 107
WRONG!!!
Answer = 1.2 x 108

10. Math Operations & Sci. Notation
For Addition and Subtraction:
must make the exponents the same
Ex. 5.4 x x 104 =
0.54 x 104
x 104
6.5 x 104

11. Special Note Sometimes exponents are written differently.
We are used to 3.4 x 105
However, you may see 3.4E5
It means the same thing (“E” represents the exponent and replaces x 10