1. 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.
1. Well, you would write the first digit: 2
2. Now, you add a decimal: 2.
Add the left over digits:
Add a multiple of 10: 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 x 108

2. 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:
Add a multiple of 10: 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 x 108
If you wish to round the number, you x 108
may do so.

3. Scientific notation: negative exponent
But what if you have a decimal number. Let’s say you have the following number, what to do ?
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:
Add a multiple of 10: 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 x 10-5