Conceptual explanation/tutorial Scientific notation is a way to use exponents to show large or small numbers in a standard way.

Once you are familiar with it, the goal is for scientific notation to make your job in chemistry easier. It is designed to help you with adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing numbers that would otherwise be too difficult to reason about in your head. It should help you make sense of some of the calculations you are asked to perform. First, a brief refresher on exponents might be helpful. In scientific notation, we will always have the exponent on a 10. The exponent means how many times 10 is multiplied by itself.

For example 102= 10 x 10= 100, or 2 tens multiplied together. Similarly, 103= 10x10x10=1000, or 3 tens multiplied together.
A negative exponent indicates that we are multiplying by the inverse of 10, 1/10. This is the same as dividing by 10.

For example 10-3 = 1/103 = 1/10 x 1/10 x 1/10 = 1/1000 = 0.001

We will often combine the term that has an exponent (like 103) with another number. This indicates that the new number is also multiplied by the number of tens shown.

For example 4 x 103= 4 x 10 x 10 x 10 = 4 x 1000 = 4000. Or 8.23 x 105 = 8.23 x 10 x 10 x 10 x 10 x 10 = 8.23 x 100,000 = 823,000. Or 7.2 x 10-2 = 7.2 x 1/10 x 1/10 = 7.2 x 0.01 = 0.072
Notice that the value that is multiplied by the tens is always bigger than 1 and smaller than 10. This is important and one of the keys to writing scientific notation properly. You may also notice that the exponent has to do with the number of places the decimal point moves. Remember, if there is no decimal point shown, it is at the far right of the value given. In the example above, 4 x 103= 4000, you may have noticed that the decimal point moved three spaces when the value was written without scientific notation. That is, when the three 10s were multiplied in, three 0s were added, and the decimal point moved to the right three spaces. It doesnt always work to count 0s, but it does always work to count places that the decimal point moves. Sample problems So, lets work through some of the ways that scientific notation can be useful in chemistry. We will look at some examples with units and some without, but the important thing to remember is what it all means. Scientific Notation to Standard Notation First, well practice thinking through what a value in scientific notation really means. 1. Express 7.97 x 103 without scientific notation. Remember from above that 7.97 x 103 = 7.97 x 10 x 10 x 10. The scientific notation tells us to multiply by 10 three times or move the decimal point right three places. So, we would get 7970.

2. Express 8.21 x 10-2 % without scientific notation. Now, we need to divide by 10 twice or move the decimal point left two times since the exponent is -2. That means the final answer would be 0.0821%. Note that the % sign doesnt change the work we do or the answer. It just gets tacked on. 3. Express 5.75 x 103 moles per liter without scientific notation. The last one of these is one measuring moles per liter, a concentration unit from chemistry. The procedure is just the same, and the units dont change anything. The exponent three means that we multiply by 10 three times or move the decimal point to the right three times, and get 5,750 moles per liter. Standard Notation to Scientific Notation Next, well work with some examples of expressing values in scientific notation. 4. Express 6,205 in scientific notation. To do this, we need to move the decimal point. It is currently to the right of the 5. In order to write the value in scientific notation, we need something that is between 1 and 10. That is, we move it to the left three times so that it is to the right of the 6. Another way to think about this is that we divided by 10 three times. The value in scientific notation tells how to undo what we just did. That means that 6205 in scientific notation is 6.205 x 103. 5. Express 92,015 apples in scientific notation. Like the last one, we need to get a value between 1 and 10, so we divide by 10 four times or move the decimal point right 4 places. The value in scientific notation tells how to undo that, so its 9.2015 x 104 apples. The unit apples doesnt change anything we do. 6. Express 0.00472 grams in scientific notation. This one is a little trickier. Since the value is less than 1 to start with, we need to multiply by 10s to get it between 1 and 10. Also, we are measuring grams, something you may want to do in chemistry. To get a value between 1 and 10, we multiply by 10 three times or move the decimal point right three places. Then, the scientific notation tells how to undo this operation. We get 4.72 x 10-3 grams. The -3 exponent indicates that you would have to divide by 10 or move the decimal left three times to get back to the value without scientific notation. Which Value is Larger? One thing that scientific notation can help with is knowing which value is larger. This can be helpful in a variety of situations. Like those below. 7. Identify which is larger: 5.75 x 105 or 5.75 x 106 In this case, everything is the same except the exponent. The exponent of 5 means that we would multiply by 10 five times, and the exponent of 6 means that we would multiply by 10 six times. That is, the value 5.75 x 106 is 10 times greater than 5.75 x 105. 8. Identify which is larger: 7.11 x 10-2 L or 9.42 x 10-3 L. Now, these units are liters, a way of measuring volumes, something that might be useful in chemistry. Also, the exponents are negative. The exponent -2 indicates that we would divide by ten twice or move the decimal to the left 2 times, and the exponent

-3 indicates we would divide by ten three times or move the decimal left 3 times. Therefore, 7.11 x 10-2 is the greater value. It may be helpful to convert these to values without scientific notation to make this clearer. 0.0711 is greater than 0.00942. Finally, what we really want to be able to do with scientific notation is use it to make calculations easier. Sometimes we will have to add or subtract, and sometime we will have to multiply or divide. The rules for these operations are a little different, so well look at examples in two sets. Multiplying or Dividing with Scientific Notation To multiply or divide with scientific notation, you will multiply or divide the terms without exponents separately from the terms with exponents. It is possible to do this because of the order of operations multiplication and division can occur at the same time. 8. Solve 4 x 106 x 2 x 103= We will separate this in two distinct parts. First, we will multiply the terms without exponents, 4x2=8. Next, we will multiply the terms with exponents 106 x 103 = 109. Here, its helpful to remember a trick when multiplying exponents. As long as everything but the exponent is exactly alike, you can just add the exponents. In this case, the 10s are exactly alike, so you can just add 6 + 3 to find out that the final answer for the term with exponents is 109. You can put them together and get 8 x 109. 9. Solve 6 x 107 / 2 x 103= Again, we separate the problem into the terms with exponents and the terms without exponents. First deal with the terms with no exponents: 6/2=3. Next, 106/103= 103. The shortcut that can help here is when two terms are divided and everything but the exponents is exactly alike, the exponent values can be subtracted. In this case since 63=3, you know the exponent term will be 103. The two terms of the final answer put back together would be 3 x 103. Adding and Subtracting with Scientific Notation To add and subtract values with scientific notation, its a little different. First check to see if the exponents are the same. If they are, add only the values with no exponents and keep the exponent term the same. If the exponents are not the same, convert both values so they do not have scientific notation, then do the addition or subtraction. 10. Solve 5.37 x 10-3 + 2.90 x 10-3 = Since both exponents are -3, the terms without exponents can be added and the exponent term added at the end. 5.37 +2.90=8.27. The final answer would be 8.27 x 103 . 11. Solve 9.12 x 108 6.01 x 108= Similarly with subtraction, since both exponents are 8, the terms without exponents can be subtracted: 9.12-6.01= 3.11. Then, the exponent term is added back at the end. The final answer is 3.11 x 108. 12. Solve 5.44 x 103 + 7.13 x 104 = Since the exponents are not the same, we first need to express both values without scientific notation. Therefore, 5.44 x 103 = 5440 and 7.13 x 104 = 71300. Once these two values are added together, the answer of 76740 should be converted back to scientific notation. The final solution would be 7.67 x 104.

The addition of units to these problems does not change them, as it did not change the earlier problems. In cases where there are questions of significant figure rules, they should be followed as usual. Using Scientific Notation and Calculators When you use a calculator, there are a number of ways to enter values in scientific notation. There is one method that is easiest to use in chemistry class and is preferred in almost all situations. These instructions will describe how to use a TI-83 or 84 calculator. However, they can be adapted to any scientific calculator. You will want to use the EE button to keep the term without exponents with the term with the exponent. For example, if you are entering 3.568 x 10-4 in a calculator, you would actually type 3.568 EE -4. When you type the negative exponent, make sure you are using the negative button, not the minus button. If you choose to enter values with scientific notation and not use the EE button, it is wise to enter each value in parentheses so that the calculator will keep the terms together when performing calculations with the values. If you wish to use a calculator that does not have an EE button or way to enter exponents, there are a few tricks you can apply to make it easier to use another calculator. When multiplying values in scientific notation, multiply the terms with no exponents. Express this answer in scientific notation. Then add all the exponents. For example, lets do 2 104 x 7 108. First, multiply 2x7=14. Express this in scientific notation as 1.4 x 101. Then, add all the exponents (4 + 8 + 1)= 13. The final answer is 1.4 x 1013 When dividing values in scientific notation, divide the terms with no exponents. Express this in scientific notation. Subtract exponents. For example, lets take 6105/9102. First, 6/9 = 0.7= 7 x 10-1. The exponents would be 5-2-1, or 2. The final answer would be 7 x 102. When adding and subtracting, make the numbers that will be added or subtracted so that they have the same exponent term, then add or subtract the numbers without exponents and leave the exponent term the same. For example, lets consider 4.061 103 +5.94 102. The first step is to make the two values have the same exponent term. That means expressing them as 4.061 103 + .594 103. Then, we add 4.061 + 0.594 = 4.655. The final answer is 4.655 x 103. Practice problems of all types 1. Express these values in scientific notation a. 42,407 b. 0.00502 c. 50 2. Express these values without scientific notation a. 1.14 x 103 b. 6.07238 x10-6 c. 6.89 x 100

3. Identify which value is larger. a. 67,000 or 6.7 x 103 14 b. 5.69 x 10 or 5.69 x 1015 c. 6.32 x 10-4 or 7.32 x 10-5 4. Without using a calculator, solve these problems. a. 3 x 104 x 7 x 10-1 = b. 4 x 10-7 \ 2 x 10-5= c. 5.3 x 10-3 + 7.4 x 10-3= 5. Express these values in scientific notation a. 884 rings b. 0.0489 inches c. 90,703 yo-yos 6. Express these values without scientific notation a. 2.39 x 102 gallons b. 1.037 x10-4 electron volts c. $8.21 x 1014 7. Identify which value is smaller. a. 53 maps or 5.3 x 102 maps 6 b. $5 x 10 or $5 x109 c. 7 x 1011 tops or 11 x 107 tops 8. Without using a calculator, solve these problems. a. 2 x 107 cm2 x 4 x 107 cm = b. $1 x 109 in the bank \ $5 x 103 to purchase one motorcycle= c. 7.21 x 105 bottles + 4.37 x 106 bottles= 9. Express these values in scientific notation a. 0.042 moles per liter b. 55,280 ions c. 17 protons 10. Express these values without scientific notation a. 4.90 x 107 grams b. 7.33 x 1023 moles c. 9.17 x 10-2 L 11. Identify which value is larger. a. 9.33 x 1017 mL or 9.33 x 1017 L 24 b. 1.204 x 10 atoms or 1 mole c. 1.005 x 10-7 calories or 1.005 x 10-6 calories

12. Without using a calculator, solve these problems. 2 gH 2 5 = a. 5 x10 moleH 2 1moleH 2 3 x10 5 mole = 9.x10 4 L c. 4.78 x 10-1 grams + 8.90 x 10-2 grams b. 13. Identify which value is larger. a. 2,654 or 2.654 x 104 b. 6.02 x 1023 or 6.02 billion c. 9.97 x 1011 or 9.97 x 10-11 14. Without using a calculator, solve these problems. 2.13 x105 cal a. 6.32780 103 mole = 1mole 1.3 x10 3 kcal 1mole = b. 1mole 1.14 x10 2 grams c. 7.43 x 10-3 grams + 8.90 x 102 grams= 15. Use a calculator to solve these problems. a. 7.69g 4 + 9.86g 7 = 10 10 7 2.223g 10 b. = 8.28g 4 10 Solutions to Practice problems 1. Express these values in scientific notation d. 4.2407 x 104 e. 5.02 x 10-3 f. 5 x 101 2. Express these values without scientific notation a. 1140 b. 0.00000607238 c. 6.89 3. Identify which value is larger. a. 67,000 b.5.69 x 1015 c. 6.32 x 10-4 4. Without using a calculator, solve these problems. d. 3 x 104 x 7 x 10-1 = 2.1 x 104 e. 4 x 10-7 \ 2 x 10-5= 2 x 10-2 f. 5.3 x 10-3 + 7.4 x 10-3= 1.27 x 10-2

5. Express these values in scientific notation a. 8.84 x 102 rings b. 4.89 x 10-2 inches c. 9.0703 x 104 yo-yos 6. Express these values without scientific notation a. 239 gallons b. 0.0001037 electron volts c. $821,000,000,000,000 7. Identify which value is smaller. a. 53 maps b. $5 x106 c. 7 x 107 tops 8. Without using a calculator, solve these problems. a. 2 x 107 cm2 x 4 x 107 cm = 8 x 1014 b. $1 x 109 in the bank \ $5 x 103 to purchase one motorcycle= 20,000 motorcycles c. 7.21 x 105 bottles + 4.37 x 106 bottles= 5.1 x 106 bottles 9. Express these values in scientific notation a. 4.2 x 10-2 moles per liter b. 5.528 x 104 ions c. 1.7 x 101 protons 10. Express these values without scientific notation a. 49,000,000 grams b. 733000000000000000000000 moles c. 0.0917 L 11. Identify which value is larger. a. 9.33 x 1017 L b. 1.204 x 1024 atoms c. 1.005 x 10-6 calories 12. Without using a calculator, solve these problems. 2 gH 2 5 = 1 x 10-4 g H2 a. 5 x10 moleH 2 1moleH 2 3 x10 5 mole = 3 x 10-2 mol/L 9.x10 4 L c. 4.78 x 10-1 grams + 8.90 x 10-2 grams = 5.67 x 10-1 grams b. 13. Identify which value is larger.

a. 2.654 x 104 b. 6.02 x 1023 c. 9.97 x 1011 14. Without using a calculator, solve these problems. 2.13 x105 cal a. 6.32780 103 mole = 1.35 x 103 calories 1mole 1.3 x10 3 kcal 1mole = 1.1 x 101 kcal/g b. 2 1mole 1.14 x10 grams -3 c. 7.43 x 10 grams + 8.90 x 102 grams= 8.9 x 102 grams 15. Use a calculator to solve these problems. a. 7.69g 4 + 9.86g 7 = 7.69 x 10-4 10 10 7 2.223g 10 b. = 2.67 x 102 4 8.28g 10 Short (5 min) pre-assessment 1. Express these values in scientific notation a. 1,502 J b. 37,000 seconds c. 0.002167 L 2. Express these values without scientific notation a. 7.83 x 102 kg b. 5.551x10-4 moles c. 4.5 x 101 cm 3. Identify which value is larger. a. 2,654 mL or 2.654 x 104 mL 23 b. 6.02 x 10 atoms or 6.02 billion atoms 11 c. 9.97 x 10 grams or 9.97 x 10-11 milligrams 4. Without using a calculator, solve these problems. a. 8 x 106 cm x 3 x 109 cm = b. 6 x 10-2 Js \ 1 x 103 s= c. 5.3 x 10-3 kJ + 7.4 x 10-3 kJ= Links to other tutorials/online practice West Texas A &M University College Algebra Tutorial with explanation, example problems, and solutions http://www.wtamu.edu/academic/anns/mps/math/mathlab/col_algebra/col_alg_tut3_scinot. htm

AAA Math Explanation and online game. For Spanish version, go to AAAmath.com and scroll to the bottom, click on AAA Math in Spanish. http://www.aaamath.com/g8-71f-n2sci.html Austin Community College Explanations and post test including multiplication, division, addition, subtraction, and other operations. http://www.austincc.edu/nrgtutor/SN/sntut.htm