Question

Can someone please explain to me what exactly scientific notations are and what I need to know to solve them properly?? Also, provide worked out examples and explain the steps you followed. PLEASE, no joke responses... I just want a better understanding. If I find your answer to be insufficient, I'll report it.

Answer 1

Scientific notation is a standard way of writing very large or very small numbers so that they’re easier to compare and use in calculations.

To write in scientific notation, follow the form

N x 10^a , where N is a number between 1 and 10, but not 10 itself, and a is an integer (positive or negative number).

 

 For a positive exponent you would be moving the decimal place to the left:

Example to write 457,000,000,000 in scientific notation,

 Move the decimal to the left between the 4 and 5, count the number of spaces the decimal moves and that is the exponent.

 To move the decimal between the 4 and 5 it moves 11 places so it would become 4.57 x 10^11

 

 For a negative exponent move the decimal to the right and count the number of places moved

 Example 0.00000000088 becomes 8.8 x 10^-10