Scientific Notation

Here are the steps for writing a number in scientific notation.

1. Move the decimal point so that it is to the right of the first non-zero digit of the number. The result should be a number that is at least 1 but less than 10. This will be the first part of your number in scientific notation.
2. Count how many spaces you needed to move your decimal point in step 1. The number of spaces will be your power of 10. If you moved the decimal point to the left, your exponent will be positive. If you moved your decimal point to the right, your exponent will be negative.
3. The number in scientific notation is the decimal number from step 1 multiplied by 10 to the power from step 2.

Converting a Number to Scientific Notation

Large Numbers → Positive Power of Ten

Small Decimal Numbers → Negative Power of Ten

Converting Scientific Notation to Standard Notation

Positive Power of Ten → Move the Decimal to the Right

Negative Power of Ten → Move the Decimal to the Left

Write each number in scientific notation.

1. 0.0000000056731
2. 24,010,000,000
3. 960,000,000,000,000,000
4. 0.0000001245
5. 36,000,000
6. 0.00098
7. 0.000000034
8. 345,000,000

Write each number as a number not in scientific notation.

9. 3.808×1011 
10. 2.1×106 
11. 5.912×108 
12. 6.78×10−6 
13. 5.7×109 
14. 4.5×10−5