Scientific Notation

Key Questions

  • How do I convert scientific notation to a real number?

    A number in scientific notation is in the form

    a⋅10b

    To convert to a real number, write out a then move the decimal point depending on b's sign.

    If b is positive, move the decimal point to the right
    If b is negative, move the decimal point to the left

    For example,

    1.23⋅105

    Moving the decimal point 5 places to the right, we have

    123000

    4.56⋅10−5

    Moving the decimal point 5 places to the left, we have

    0.0000456

    seph · · Oct 11 2014
  • How do I convert scientific notation to decimal?

    First, observe what happens when a particular number is multiplied or divided by multiples of 10.

    123.45⋅10=1234.5 Decimal place moved by 1 place to the right

    123.45⋅100=12345 Decimal place moved by 2 places to the right

    123.45⋅10000=1234500 Decimal place moved by 4 places to the right

    67.89⋅110=6.789 Decimal place moved by 1 place to the left

    67.89⋅1100=0.6789 Decimal place moved by 2 places to the left

    67.89⋅110000=0.6789 Decimal place moved by 4 places to the left

    Remember that a number's multiples can also be expressed exponential form

    1=100
    10=101
    100=102
    10000=104
    110=10−1
    1100=10−2
    110000=10−4

    A number in scientific notation form is in the form

    A⋅10b

    where A is a rational number in decimal form.

    To convert to a number in scientific notation form,
    move the decimal place by b places. If b is negative, move to the left. If b is positive, move to the right

    seph · · Oct 11 2014

Questions

Exponential and Logistic Functions