Transcript Scientific Notation

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.
• 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"
• 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
1.23 ×102
1.23 × 103
1.23 ×104
1.23 × 105
1.23 ×106
Standard Form
123
1,230
12,300
123,000
1,230,000
•
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.