Scientific Notation

Key Questions

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

    A number in scientific notation is in the form

    a * 10^b

    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 * 10^5

    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 * 1/10 = 6.789 Decimal place moved by 1 place to the left

    67.89 * 1/100 = 0.6789 Decimal place moved by 2 places to the left

    67.89 * 1/10000 = 0.6789 Decimal place moved by 4 places to the left

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

    1 = 10^0
    10 = 10^1
    100 = 10^2
    10000 = 10^4
    1/10 = 10^-1
    1/100 = 10^-2
    1/10000 = 10^-4

    A number in scientific notation form is in the form

    A * 10^b

    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