Scientific Notation

What is scientific notation?

• Scientific Notation is used to express the very

large and the very small numbers so that
problem solving will be made easier.
• Scientists can work with very large and very
small numbers more easily if the numbers are
written in scientific notation.
 What is scientific notation?

• In scientific notation, a number is written

as the product of two numbers
– A coefficient and 10 raised to a power
 For Example

• The number 4,500 is written in scientific

notation as 4.5 x 10³.
COEFFICIENT
Power of ten/exponent
 Rules to remember
• If a number is greater than 10, the
exponent will be positive and is equal to
the number of places the decimal must be
moved to the left to write the number in
scientific notation.
 Rules to remember
• If a number is less than 10, the exponent
will be negative and is equal to the
number of places the decimal must be
moved to the right to write the number in
scientific notation.
 Rules to remember

• A number will have an exponent of zero

if the number is equal to or greater than
1, but less than 10.
 Steps in writing scientific notation

• Move the decimal to the right of the first non-

zero number.
• Count how many places the decimal had to be
moved.
• If the decimal had to be moved to the right,
the exponent is negative.
• If the decimal had to be moved to the left, the
exponent is positive.
 Multiplication in scientific notation

• When multiplying numbers written in

scientific notation, multiply the first
factors and add the exponents.
 Sample Problem

• Multiply 3.2 x 10-3 and 2.1 x 1o5

Answer: 6.7 x 102

 division in scientific notation

• Divide the numerator by the denominator.

Subtract the exponent in the denominator
from the exponent in the numerator.
 Sample Problem

• Divide (6.4 x 106) by (1.7 x 102)

Answer: 3.8 x 10 4
 addition/subtraction in scientific notation

• To add or subtract numbers written in

scientific notation, you must express them
with the same power of ten.
 Sample Problem

• Add 5.8 x 103 and 2.16 x 104

Answer: 2.74 x 104

 solution

• Solution: Since the two numbers are not

expressed as the same power of ten, one
of the numbers will have to be rewritten
in the same power of ten as the other.

• 5.8 x 103 = .58 x 104, so .58 x 104 + 2.16 x

104 = 2.74 x 104
 exercises

• Add (9.2 x 10^3 s) + (8.3 x 10^4 s) +

(0.008 x 10^6 s)
• Multiply 2.079 x 10^2 m by 0.082 x 10^-1
m, taking into account significant figures.