WORKSHEET 4

Scientific Notation: Prefixes and Scientific Notation

Main Concepts/Ideas:
The use of prefixes and scientific notation facilitates the ease of handling very large or very
minute values. - When we talk about measurements, prefixes are often added to units (which we call
here base units) to change the value of those units. For example, when the prefix kilo (or k) is placed
before the base unit gram (g) so that it becomes kilogram (kg), its value changes. The extent of the
change in the value of the unit depends on the prefix. The tables below present the equivalent values
associated with the most common prefixes that are added to base units.

Prefix Symbol Equivalent Prefix Symbol Equivalent

tera T 1012 = 1,000,000,000,000 deci d 1/10 = 0.1
giga G 109 = 1,000,000,000 centi c 1/102 = 0.01
mega M 106 = 1,000,000 milli m 1/103 = 0.001
kilo k 103 = 1,000 micro µ 1/106 = 0. 000 001
hecto h 102 = 100 nano n 1/109 = 0.000 000 001
deka da 101 = 10

Detailed Examples:
 36 km = 36 x 103 m = 36 x 1000 m = 36,000 m
3. 6 x 104 m = 3.6 x 10,000 m = 36,000 m
(kilo is equivalent to 103)
(To express 36 x 103 m in standard
scientific notation form, the decimal
point is moved 1 decimal place value to
the left. This adds “1” to the exponent.)

 0.05MW = 0.05 x 106W = 0.05 x 1,000,000W (mega is equivalent to 106)

5 x 104 W = 5 x 10,000W = 50,000W (To express 0.05 x 106 W in standard
scientific notation form, the decimal
point is moved 2 decimal places
to the right. This subtracts “2” from the
exponent of 10.)
Exercises:
Express each value in its standard scientific notation form. Use the base units.
Quantity Standard SN Form Quantity Standard SN Form

1.2 MPa 760 µF

350 Tg 1500 kL

0.78 nA 0.003 GP

1,076 mm 256 hK

Reflection/Summary of Learning: