1. Scientific Notation

2. Scientific Notation is a way to easily write numbers that are very large in magnitude or very small in magnitude.
= × 1012
= × 10-10

3. 2. The number is always multiplied by 10b, where b is an integer.
When you see a number in scientific notation, it is NOT an equation. It is an alternative way to write a number.
There are two things that are always true of a number written in scientific notation:
1. There is always one non-zero number in front of the decimal when a number is written in S.N.
2. The number is always multiplied by 10b, where b is an integer.

4. Understanding what we mean:
1. There is always one non-zero number in front of the decimal when a number is written in S.N.
Which numbers below are correctly written in scientific notation?
3.5 × 1016
16.4 × 10-11
1.34 × 1014
10.7 × 10-24
2.44 × 1021
0.2 × 1010

5. Understanding what we mean:
2. The number is always multiplied by 10b, where b is an integer.
Which numbers below are correctly written in scientific notation?
1.5 ×
7.2 × 10-11
9.25 × 1014
5.20 × 10-21
3.24 × 102.5
8.3 ×

6. Circle the numbers that are correctly written in scientific notation and place an X over the numbers that are not.

7. Understanding when to use positive or negative exponents:
Which number written in scientific notation correctly represents the number below?
2.18 × 1011 OR
2.18 × 10-11
1.45 × 1013 OR
1.45 × 10-13

8. Which number written in scientific notation correctly represents the number below?
2.87 × 1010 OR
2.87 × 10-10
9.681 × 1016 OR
9.681 × 10-16
6.2 × 1013 OR
6.2 × 10-13

9. Which number written in scientific notation correctly represents the number below?
1.29 × 1010 OR
1.29 × 10-10
3.01 × 109 OR
3.01 × 10-9
1.206 × 1014 OR
1.206 × 10-14

10. Describe what a positive and negative exponent means:
A positive exponent means that the number is very large in magnitude.
Example:
A negative exponent means that the number is very small in magnitude.
Example:
Understanding this simple concept will keep you from having to memorize whether the decimal should move to the left or the right!

11. For each of the numbers on your notes, select the correct representation written in scientific notation.

12. Which number below is the same as the number written in scientific notation?
1.26 × 1012 OR
2.05 × 1010 OR
5.61 × 10-9 OR

13. Which number below is the same as the number written in scientific notation?
7.35 × 108 OR
8.05 × 10-10 OR
1.3 × 10-11 OR

14. Count the number of times the decimal moves.
Putting a number into scientific notation:
Because the number below is of a large magnitude, the exponent will be ________.
positive
Count the number of times the decimal moves. . . . . . . . . . .
In scientific notation this number is 2.8 × 109

15. Count the number of times the decimal moves.
Putting a number into scientific notation:
Because the number below is of a small magnitude, the exponent will be ________.
negative
Count the number of times the decimal moves. . . . . . . . .
In scientific notation this number is 1.25 × 10-7

16. Write each of the numbers on your notes page in scientific notation correctly.

17. Putting a number into the calculator in scientific notation.
If you do not put in these numbers correctly, you will often come out with the wrong answer.

18. Example:
6.02 × 1023
Step #1
Put the first number, call the significand, into the calculator.
6.02

19. Example:
6.02 × 1023
Step #2
Press the key
Step #3
Press the key

20. Example:
6.02 × 1023
Step #4
Type in the exponent. 23

21. 6.02 × 1023 When you type it in, it will be written in “E notation”
But your answers will be displayed in normal scientific notation:
6.02 × 1023

22. Translate the numbers on your notes from how they appear on the calculator screen to how they should really be written.
3.01 × 1024
1.51 × 1024
1.64 × 10-27
7.4 × 1025

23. When you place numbers into the calculator correctly, multiplying and dividing them is just as easy as any other numbers.
Practice multiplying and dividing the numbers in scientific notation on your notes.