Step 1: Position the decimal point. Place a caret, ^, to the right of the first nonzero digit, where the decimal point will be placed.
Step 2: Determine the numeral for the exponent. Count the number of digits from the decimal point to the caret. This number gives the absolute value of the exponent on 10.
Step 3: Determine the sign for the exponent. Decide whether multiplying by 10^n should make a result of step 1 larger or smaller. The exponent should be positive to make the result larger; it should be negative to make the result smaller.
EXAMPLE:
820,000→8.20,000→8.2 x 10^5
Converting FROM Scientific Notation:
ReplyDeleteMultiplying a number by a positive power of 10 makes the number larger so you move the decimal point to the right n places if n is positive. Multiplying a number by a negative power of 10 makes the number smaller so you move the decimal point to the left n places if n is negative.
If n is 0, leave the decimal point where it is.
Example: 6.93 X 10^7 = 69,300,000 because you move the decimal point over 7 places, then add the 0's!