Scientific Notation

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Scientific Notation

• Scientific notation is just a short hand way of
  expressing gigantic numbers like 1,300,000 or
  incredibly small numbers like 0.0000000000045.
• Also known as exponential form, scientific
  notation has been one of the oldest mathematical
  approaches.
• If numbers are too big or too small to be simply
  calculated, people refer to scientific notation
  to handle these circumstances.
• This method is used by engineers, mathematicians,
  scientists.

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• An example of scientific notation is
• 1.3 106 which is just a different way of
  expressing the standard notation of the number
  1,300,000. Standard notation is the normal way of
  writing numbers.
• Key Vocabulary mantissa this is the integer or
  first digit in any Scientific Notation. For
  example in 1.3 106, the mantissa is the "1"

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• Other examples
• 1.2 1014 the positive exponent indicates a
  large number
• 7.89 10-21 the negative exponent indicates a
  small number
• Scientific Notation Standard Form
• 1.23 102 123
• 1.23 103 1,230
• 1.23 104 12,300
• 1.23 105 123,000
• 1.23 106 1,230,000

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• Using scientific calculators to put numbers into
  scientific notation
• Make sure that the number in scientific notation
  is put into your calculator correctly.
• Read the directions for your particular
  calculator.
• Punch the number (the digit number) into your
  calculator.
• Push the EE or EXP button. Do NOT use the x
  (times) button!!
• Enter the exponent number. Use the /- button to
  change its sign.
• Voila! Treat this number normally in all
  subsequent calculations.
• To check yourself, multiply 6.0 x 105 times 4.0 x
  103 on your calculator. Your answer should be 2.4
  x 109.