Scientific notation can be used  to  write very large or

very small numbers to be able to calculate them with a

calculator.  To write a number in scientific notation,

write it as a product of two factors:  (a decimal greater

than or equal to 1 but less than 10) x (a power of 10). 

In other words there must be one non zero digit to the left of the

decimal.  Then count how many places the decimal was

moved.  That (number of places moved) is the exponent

or power of 10.  180,000 becomes

 180,000 becomes 1.8 x 10⁵ because the decimal was

 moved five places.

1,800,000 becomes

1,800,000 becomes 1.8 x 10⁶ because the decimal was moved six places.  Remember count the places.

453,000 becomes

453,000 becomes 4.53 x 10⁵ place because the

decimal was moved five places.

453 becomes

453 becomes 4.53 x 10 to the 2nd place because the

decimal was moved two places.

To write numbers between 0 and 1 in scientific

notation, we use negative exponents.  0.004 becomes

 4 x 10 to the negative third as the decimal was moved

three places in a tiny direction. 

0.000453 becomes

0.000453 becomes 4.53 x 10 to the negative (a very

small number) 4th power because the decimal moved

four places before there was one non zero digit to the

 left.

0.00453 becomes

0.00453 becomes 4.53 x 10^-3 because the decimal

moved three places before there was one non zero

digit to the left.

0.453 becomes

0.453 becomes 4.53 x 10 to the negative (a very small

number) 1st power because the decimal moved only

place before there was one non zero digit to the left.

0.0453 becomes

0.0453 becomes 4.53 x 10^-2 because the decimal

moved two places before there was one non zero digit

to the left.

0.0000453 becomes

0.0000453 becomes 4.53 x 10^-5 power because the

decimal moved five places before there was one non

zero digit to the left.

To change a number in scientific notation to standard

form, reverse the process.  Move the decimal to make

it larger if the exponent is positive.  Move the decimal

to make is smaller if the exponent is negative. 

Remember a negative exponent is a faction/decimal.

3.88 x 10² becomes

To change a number in scientific notation to standard

form, reverse the process.  Move the decimal to make

 is larger if the exponent is positive.  Move the decimal

to make it smaller if the exponent is negative. 

Remember a negative exponent is a faction/decimal.

3.88 x 10² becomes 388 because the decimal moved

two places to make it a larger number.

3.88 x 10¹ becomes...

To change a number in scientific notation to standard

form, reverse the process.  Move the decimal to make

is larger if the exponent is positive.  Move the decimal

to make it smaller if the exponent is negative. 

Remember a negative exponent is a faction/decimal.

3.88 x 10¹ becomes... 38.8 because the decimal moved

only one place larger (positive exponent).

3.88 x 10⁴  becomes...

To change a number in scientific notation to standard

form, reverse the process.  Move the decimal to make

it larger if the exponent is positive.  Move the decimal

to make it smaller if the exponent is negative. 

Remember a negative exponent is a faction/decimal.

3.88 x 10⁴ becomes... 38,800 because the decimal

moved four places larger (positive exponent).

2.89 x 10⁶

2.89 x 10⁸

2.89 x 10⁶

2.89 x 10⁵

2.89 x 10^-3

2.89 x 10^-1

2.89 x 10^-2

2.89 x 10³