The document discusses scientific notation and how to convert between it and standard form. Scientific notation is used to write very large or small numbers in a easier way. It involves writing a number as the product of a decimal and an exponential term. The document provides step-by-step instructions for converting positive and negative exponents between scientific notation and standard form.

1. Scientific Notation: How to convert to
and from standard form
 What’s the  What’s the purpose
difference? of each?
 Scientific notation:  For larger (or smaller)
○ 2.3x102 numbers, scientific
 Standard notation: notation makes the
○ 230
number easier to
write out
 For average-sized
 The above are the
numbers (0.001-
SAME number
9999) there is an
ease of calculation

2. How to convert TO scientific notation
from standard form (positive
exponent)
1. Put a decimal after
the first non-zero
digit (the 5)
2. Count the spaces to
the RIGHT of the
new decimal place
3. Write the new
number as the
decimal you created
in #1 x 10#of spaces
#1
4. Answer:
5.836429 x 106
Image: Milestoned, Numbers, March 30, 2010 via Flickr,
Creative Commons Attribution

3. How to convert FROM scientific
notation to standard form (positive
exponent)
 Let’s start with 1. Determine the
2.75x108 number of the
exponent (in this
#1 case, it is 8)
2. Move your decimal
place that many
places to the
RIGHT (8)
3. Answer:
275,000,000
Image: Microsoft Clip Art

4. How to convert TO scientific notation
from standard form (negative
exponent)
 Example: 1. Place a decimal after
0.00026 the first non-zero digit
2. Count the number of
#1
decimal places to the

LEFT of the new
We will use negative decimal
exponents to indicate 3. Write the new number
that our number is as the decimal you
small created in
#1 x 10 - #of spaces
4. Answer:
2.6x10-4
Image: Microsoft Clip Art

5. How to convert FROM scientific
notation to standard form (negative
exponent)
 Let’s start with 1. Determine the
3.65x10-6 number of the
exponent (in this
#1 case, it is -6)
2. Move your decimal
place that many
places to the LEFT
(6)
3. Answer:
Image: Microsoft Clip Art
0.00000365

6. How to convert FROM scientific
notation to standard form (negative
exponent)
 Let’s start with 1. Determine the
3.65x10-6 number of the
exponent (in this
#1 case, it is -6)
2. Move your decimal
place that many
places to the LEFT
(6)
3. Answer:
Image: Microsoft Clip Art
0.00000365