Question

Some scientific facts involving very small numbers and very large numbers

Answer 1

Answer:

This first number needs to be greater than or equal to one as well. Nonetheless, lets put the rules to work with some examples.

Examples:

1.)0.000003426

Step 1: Move the decimal so that there is only one digit in front of the decimal.

0.000003.426

Step 2: Count the number of moves from the original decimal to the new position.

0.000003.426

There are 6 moves

Step 3: Write the new number as a product with a power of ten.

3.426 x 10-6 The number of moves becomes the exponent.

2.)0.00000000291

Step 1: Move the decimal between the 2 and 9.

0.000000002.91

Step 2:Count the number of moves from one decimal to the other.

0.000000002.91

There are 9 moves.

Step 3: Write the new number.

2.91 x 10-9

We can also change a number written in scientific notation back to standard form.

Take a look at how we can use the steps in the opposite order.

Examples:

1.) 5.8 x 10-3

Step 1: Take note of the exponent. The exponent tells us how many times we will move over.

5.8 x 10-3

Step 2: Move the decimal to the left 3 times because the exponent is a negative 3. Place zeros in the empty spots as you move.

.0058

Step 3: Write your final answer.

0.0058

2.) 7 x 10-5

Step 1: The exponent is a negative 5.

Step 2: The decimal is located after the 7. Now it needs to move 5 places to the left.

.00007

Step 3: So the final answer is 0.00007.

Take note that exponent is the number of moves, not the number of zeros!