Chapter 4-9: Scientific notation
You've had this since 6th grade!
You restate very big or very small numbers using powers of 10 in
exponential form--Move the decimal so the number fits in this range:
less than 10 AND greater than or equal to 1
Count the number of places you moved the decimal and make that your exponent
Very big numbers - exponent is positive
Very small numbers (decimals) - exponent is negative (just like a fraction!)
Remember that STANDARD notation is what you expect (the normal number)
When you multiply or divide scientific notations, use the power rules!
Just be careful that if your answer does not fit the scientific notation range, that you restate it.
ORDERING SCIENTIFIC NOTATION NUMBERS:
As long as numbers are in scientific notation,
they are easy to put in order from least to greatest!
1) If they are all different powers, simply order them by powers
2) If they have the same power, simply order them using your decimal ordering skills.
EXAMPLE 1: Order 3.7 x 108, 4.3 x 10-2, 9.3 x 105, and 8.7 x 10-5
8.7 x 10-5, 4.3 x 10-2, 9.3 x 105, 3.7 x 108
EXAMPLE 2: 3.7 x 108, 4.3 x 108, 9.3 x 108, and 8.7 x 108
3.7 x 108, 4.3 x 108, 8.7 x 108, 9.3 x 108
2 comments:
I think it's easy, but sometimes i forget to put the final answer in to scientific notation.
Lorenzo,
Thank you for your comment. You are right -- many students forget to check to make sure that the first factor is written correctly. Always make sure that that first factor is greater than or equal to 1 but less than 10.
Thank you for your post. Always end with your name.-- Mrs. Nelson
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