LO: SWBAT Use the rules for exponents

with scientific notation. (Objective 6)

College Math
Lesson 63
LO: SWBAT Use the rules for exponents with scientific notation. (Objective 6)

Lesson:

Scientific Notation
A number is written in scientific notation when it
is expressed in the form

a × 10n

where 1 ≤ |a| < 10 and n is an integer.

LO: SWBAT Use the rules for exponents with scientific notation. (Objective 6)

Lesson:

Converting to Scientific Notation

Step 1 Position the decimal point. Place a caret, ^, to the right of the first nonzero
digit, where the decimal point will be placed.
Step 2 Determine the numeral for the exponent. Count the number of digits from the
decimal point to the caret. This number gives the absolute value of the exponent
on 10.
Step 3 Determine the sign for the exponent. Decide whether multiplying by 10n
should make the result of Step 1 greater or less. The exponent should be
positive to make the result greater; it should be negative to make the result less.
LO: SWBAT Use the rules for exponents with scientific notation. (Objective 6)

Lesson:
EXAMPLE 1:
Write the number in scientific notation.
a. 29,800,000

b. 0.0000000503
LO: SWBAT Use the rules for exponents with scientific notation. (Objective 6)

Lesson:
EXAMPLE 1:
Write the number in scientific notation.
a. 29,800,000
Step 1 Place a caret to the right of the 2 (the first nonzero
digit) to mark the new location of the decimal point.
Step 2 Count from the decimal point, which is understood
to be after the caret. 29,800,000 = 2.9,800,000.
Decimal point

Step 3 Since 2.98 is to be made greater, the exponent on 10

is positive.

29,800,000 = 2.98 × 107

LO: SWBAT Use the rules for exponents with scientific notation. (Objective 6)

Lesson:
EXAMPLE 1 continued:
Write the number in scientific notation.
b. 0.0000000503
Step 1 Place a caret to the right of the 5 (the first nonzero digit) to mark
the new location of the decimal point.
Step 2 Count from the decimal point 8 places, which is understood to
be after the caret.
0.0000000503 =
0.00000005.03
Step 3 Since 5.03 is to be made less, the exponent 10 is negative.

0.0000000503 = 5.03 × 10-8

LO: SWBAT Use the rules for exponents with scientific notation. (Objective 6)

Lesson:

Converting from Scientific Notation

Multiplying a number by a positive power of 10
makes the number greater, so move the decimal
point to the right if n is positive in 10n.

Multiplying a number by a negative power of 10

makes the number less, so move the decimal point
to the left if n is negative.

If n is 0, leave the decimal point where it is.

LO: SWBAT Use the rules for exponents with scientific notation. (Objective 6)
Lesson:
EXAMPLE 2:
Write each number in standard notation.

a. 2.51 ×103

b. –6.8 ×10-5
LO: SWBAT Use the rules for exponents with scientific notation. (Objective 6)
Lesson:
EXAMPLE 2:
Write each number in standard notation.

a. 2.51 ×103 = 2.510. = 2510

Move the decimal 3 places to the right.

b. –6.8 ×10-5 = –0.00006.8 = –0.000068

Move the decimal 4 places to the left.

LO: SWBAT Use the rules for exponents with scientific notation. (Objective 6)

Lesson:
EXAMPLE 3:

Evaluate
LO: SWBAT Use the rules for exponents with scientific notation. (Objective 6)

Lesson:
EXAMPLE 3:

Evaluate
LO: SWBAT Use the rules for exponents with scientific notation. (Objective 6)

Lesson:
EXAMPLE 4:
The distance to the sun is 9.3 × 107 mi. How long would it take a rocket traveling at
3.2 × 103 mph to reach the sun?
LO: SWBAT Use the rules for exponents with scientific notation. (Objective 6)

Lesson:
EXAMPLE 4:
The distance to the sun is 9.3 × 107 mi. How long would it take a rocket traveling at
3.2 × 103 mph to reach the sun?

d = rt, so

It would take approximately 2.9 ×104.