Chapter 4

Exponents,
Polynomials, and
Polynomial Functions

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4.2 Scientific Notation

1. Write numbers in scientific notation.

2. Convert numbers in scientific notation to standard
notation.
3. Use scientific notation in calculators.

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 Use the rules for exponents with
scientific notation
In scientific notation, a number is written with the
decimal point after the first nonzero digit and
multiplied by a power of 10.

This is often a simpler way to express very large or very

small numbers.

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 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.

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 Converting a Positive Number 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.

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 Converting a Positive Number to
Scientific Notation (cont)
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.
● The exponent should be negative to make the
result less.

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Classroom Writing Numbers in Scientific
Notation
Example 1
Write each 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 7 places, which is
understood to be after the caret.
Step 3 Since 2.98 is to be made greater, the exponent on
10 is positive.
29,800,000 = 2.98 × 107

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Classroom Writing Numbers in Scientific
Notation (cont.)
Example 1
Write each 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.
Step 3 Since 5.03 is to be made less, the exponent on
10 is negative.
0.000000503 = 5.03 × 10–8

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 Converting a Positive Number from
Scientific Notation
Multiplying a positive 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 positive number by a negative power of

10 makes the number less, so move the decimal point to
the left if n is negative in 10n.

If n is 0, leave the decimal point where it is in 10n.

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Classroom Converting from Scientific Notation to
Example 2 Standard Notation
Write each number in standard notation.

a. 2.51 103
Move the decimal point 3 places to the right.
2.51 10  2510

4
b. 6.8  10
Move the decimal point 4 places to the left.
6.8  104  0.00068

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Classroom
Using Scientific Notation in Computation
Example 3

200,000  0.0003
Evaluate.
0.06  4,000,000
2.0  106  3.0  104

6  102  4  107
2  3  106  104

6  4  102  107
2
2  3  10

6  4  105
1
  1025  0.25  103 4
4  2.5  10
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Classroom
Using Scientific Notation to Solve Problems
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?
7
d  rt 9.3  10
 3
d 3.2  10
t
r 9.3 107
  3
3.2 10
 2.90625  1073

 2.90625  104
 2.9  104
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