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College Algebra
Tutorial 3:
Scientific Notation

Learning Objectives

After completing this tutorial, you should be able to:

1. Write a number in scientific notation.

2. Write a number in decimal notation without exponents.

Introduction

This tutorial takes a look at the basic definition of scientific notation, an

application that involves writing the number using an exponent on 10. Since
part of a number that is written in scientific notation is 10 raised to a power,
when we multiply or divide these types of numbers we need to remember some
of our exponent rules. If you need to review your exponent rules, feel free to go
to Tutorial 2: Integer Exponents. Like it or not, the best way to master
these problems is to work through them. So I guess we better get to it.

Tutorial
 Scientific Notation

A positive number is written in scientific notation

if it is written in the form:

where 1 < a < 10 and r is an integer power of 10.

Writing a Number in Scientific Notation

Step 1: Move the decimal point so that you have a number that is
between 1 and 10.

In other words, you will put your decimal after the first non zero
number.

Step 2: Count the number of decimal places moved in Step 1 .

If the decimal point was moved to the left, the count is positive.

If the decimal point is moved to the right, the count is negative.

Step 3: Write as a product of the number (found in Step 1) and 10

raised to the power of the count (found in Step 2).

Example 1: Write the number in scientific notation:

734,000,000,000.

Step 1: Move the decimal point so that you have a number that is
between 1 and 10.

*Decimal is at the end of the number

*Move decimal to create a number between 1 and

10

Step 2: Count the number of decimal places moved in Step 1 .

How many decimal places did we end up moving?

We started at the end of the number 734,000,000,000 and moved it
between the 7 and 3. That looks like a move of 11 places.

What direction did it move?

Looks like we moved it to the left.

So, our count is +11.

Step 3: Write as a product of the number (found in Step 1) and 10

raised to the power of the count (found in Step 2).

Note how the number we started with is a bigger number than the
one we are multiplying by in the scientific notation. When that is
the case, we will end up with a positive exponent.

Example 2: Write the number in scientific notation: .000015.

Step 1: Move the decimal point so that you have a number that is
between 1 and 10.
 *Decimal is at the beginning of the number

*Move decimal to create a number between 1 and 10

Step 2: Count the number of decimal places moved in Step 1 .

How many decimal places did we end up moving?

We started at the beginning of the number .000015 and moved it
between the 1 and 5. That looks like a move of 5 places.

What direction did it move?

Looks like we moved it to the right.

So, our count is - 5.

Step 3: Write as a product of the number (found in Step 1) and 10

raised to the power of the count (found in Step 2).

Note how the number we started with is a smaller number than the
one we are multiplying by in the scientific notation. When that is
the case we will end up with a negative exponent.

Write a Scientific Number in Standard Form

Basically, you just multiply the first number times the power of 10.

Whenever you multiply by a power of 10, in essence what

you are doing is moving your decimal place.

If the power on 10 is positive, you move the decimal place

 that many units to the right.

If the power on 10 is negative, you move the decimal place

that many units to the left.

Make sure you add in any zeros that are needed

Example 3: Write the number in decimal notation without

exponents: .

*Move the decimal 7 to the right

Example 4: Write the number in decimal notation without

exponents: .

*Move the decimal 4 to the left

Example 5: Perform the indicated operation. Express the answer in

decimal form.

*When mult. like bases you add your

exponents: 3 + (-5) = -2

*Move the decimal 2 to the left

 Example 6: Perform the indicated operation. Express the answer in
decimal form.

*When div. like bases you subtract your exponents: 30 -

25 = 5

*Move the decimal 5 to the right

Practice Problems

These are practice problems to help bring you to the next level. It will allow
you to check and see if you have an understanding of these types of problems.
Math works just like anything else, if you want to get good at it, then you
need to practice it. Even the best athletes and musicians had help along the
way and lots of practice, practice, practice, to get good at their sport or
instrument. In fact there is no such thing as too much practice.

To get the most out of these, you should work the problem out on your own
and then check your answer by clicking on the link for the
answer/discussion for that problem. At the link you will find the answer as
well as any steps that went into finding that answer.

Practice Problem 1a:

Write the number in scientific notation.

1a.
(answer/discussion to 1a)

Practice Problem 2a:

Write the number in decimal notation,

without exponents.

2a.
(answer/discussion to 2a)

Practice Problems 3a - 3b:

Perform the indicated operation.

Express the answer in decimal form.

3a.
(answer/discussion to 3a) 3b.
(answer/discussion to 3b)

Need Extra Help on These Topics?

The following is a webpage that can assist you in the topics that were
covered on this page:
 http://www.wtamu.edu/academic/anns/mps/math/mathlab/int_algebra
/
int_alg_tut23_exppart1.htm
The bottom of this web page goes over scientific notation.

Go to Get Help Outside the Classroom found in Tutorial 1: How to Succeed

in a Math Class for some more suggestions.

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All contents copyright (C) 2002, WTAMU and Kim Peppard. All rights reserved.
Last revised on June 12, 2002 by Kim Peppard.