1. Scientific Notation

2. Scientific Notation
A number is expressed in scientific notation when it is in the form
a x 10n
where a is 1 or greater, but less than 10 and n is an integer

3. When using Scientific Notation, there are two kinds of exponents: positive and negative
Positive Exponent:
2.35 x 108
Negative Exponent:
3.97 x 10-7

4. When changing scientific notation to standard notation, the exponent tells you which direction to move the decimal:
With a positive exponent, move the decimal to the right:
4.08 x 103 = 4 0 8
Don’t forget to fill in your zeroes!

5. When changing scientific notation to standard notation, the exponent tells you which direction to move the decimal:
With a negative exponent, move the decimal to the left:
4.08 x 10-3 =
Don’t forget to fill in your zeroes!

6. An easy way to remember this is:
If an exponent is positive, the number gets larger, so move the decimal to the right.
If an exponent is negative, the number gets smaller, so move the decimal to the left.

7. The exponent also tells how many spaces to move the decimal:
In this problem, the exponent is +3, so the decimal moves 3 spaces to the right.

8. The exponent also tells how many spaces to move the decimal:
In this problem, the exponent is -3, so the decimal moves 3 spaces to the left.

9. Try changing these numbers from Scientific Notation to Standard Notation:
9.678 x 104
x 10-3
x 107
x 10-5
96780

10. When changing from Standard Notation to Scientific Notation:
1) First, move the decimal after the first counting number:
2) Second, add your multiplication sign and your base (10).
x 10
3) Count how many spaces the decimal moved and this is the exponent.
x 10 3 3 2 1

11. When changing from Standard Notation to Scientific Notation:
4) See if the original number is greater than or less than one.
If the number is greater than one, the exponent will be positive.
= x 105
If the number is less than one, the exponent will be negative.
= 6.72 x 10-8

12. Try changing these numbers from Standard Notation to Scientific Notation:
.08376
5673
x 106
3.45 x 10-5
8.376 x 102
5.673 x 103