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CHAPTER TWO
scientific notation
express numbers in scientific and decimal
notation.
How wide is our universe?
210,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 miles
(22 zeros)
This number is written in decimal notation.
When numbers get this large, it is easier to
write them in scientific notation.
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Scientific Notation
A number is expressed in scientific notation
when it is in the form
a x 10n
where a is between 1 and 10
and n is an integer
◦Very large or very small numbers can be expressed using scientific
notation
◦The number is written as a number between 1 and 10 multiplied
by 10 raised to a power.
e.g. 7200 is 7.2 x 103
◦The power of 10 depends on:
◦The number of places the decimal point is moved.
◦The direction the decimal point is moved.
Left Positive exponent
Right Negative exponent
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Write the width of the universe in scientific
notation.
210,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 miles
Where is the decimal point now?
After the last zero.
Where would you put the decimal to make this
number be between 1 and 10?
Between the 2 and the 1
2.10,000,000,000,000,000,000,000.
How many decimal places did you move the
decimal?
23
When the original number is more than 1, the
exponent is positive.
The answer in scientific notation is
2.1 x 1023
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93,000,000 miles from the Earth to the Sun (sunlight takes 8 minutes
to reach us)
93,000,000 = 9.3 x 10,000,000
= 9.3 x 10 x 10 x 10 x 10 x 10 x 10 x 10
= 9.3 x 107(Decimal point moved 7 digits to the left)
Number between 1 and Appropriate power of ten
10
• Representing Small Numbers
0.000167
To obtain a number between 1 and 10 we must move the
decimal point to the right.
0.000167 = 1.67 10-4
10-4 = 1/10000 (one ten-thousandth)
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1)Express 0.0000000902 in scientific
notation.
Where would the decimal go to make the
number be between 1 and 10?
9.02
The decimal was moved how many places?
8
When the original number is less than 1, the
exponent is negative.
9.02 x 10-8
Write 28750.9 in scientific notation.
1. 2.87509 x 10-5
2. 2.87509 x 10-4
3. 2.87509 x 104
4. 2.87509 x 105
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2) Express 1.8 x 10-4 in decimal
notation.
0.00018
3) Express 4.58 x 106 in decimal notation.
4,580,000
On the graphing calculator, scientific
notation is done with the button.
4.58 x 106 is typed 4.58 6
3) Use a calculator to evaluate
(0.0042)(330,000).
On the calculator, the answer is
1386.
The answer in decimal notation is
1386
The answer in scientific notation is
1.386 x 103
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7) Use a calculator to evaluate
(3,600,000,000)(23).
On the calculator, the answer is:
8.28 E +10
The answer in scientific notation is
8.28 x 10 10
The answer in decimal notation is
82,800,000,000
Adding and Subtracting
The general format for adding is as follows…
(N x 10x) ±(M x 10x) = (N ± M) x 10x
The important thing to remember about adding or
subtracting is that the exponents must be the same!
If the exponents are not the same then it is necessary
to change one of the numbers so that both numbers
have the same exponential value.
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Adding With the Same Exponent
(3.45 x 103) + (6.11 x 103)
3.45 + 6.11 = 9.56
9.56 x 103
Adding With Different Exponents
(4.12 x 106) + (3.94 x 104)
(412 x 104) + (3.94 x 104)
412 + 3.94 = 415.94
415.94 x 104
Express in proper form: 4.15 x 106
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Subtracting With the Same Exponent
(8.96 x 107) – (3.41 x 107)
8.96 – 3.41 = 5.55
5.55 x 107
Subtracting With Different Exponents
(4.23 x 103) – (9.56 x 102)
(42.3 x 102) – (9.56 x 102)
42.3 – 9.56 = 32.74
32.74 x 102
Express in proper form: 3.27 x 103
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Multiplying Numbers in Scientific Notation
• Multiply the decimal numbers together.
• Add the exponents to get the power of 10.
• General formula:
(N X 10x) (M X 10y) = (N) (M) X 10x+y
Example:
Given: 3.42 X 105 • 4.67 X 109
Multiply decimals: 3.42 X 4.67 = 15.97
Add Exponents: 105 x 109=105+9=1014
Preliminary Answer: 15.97 X 1014
Now, Rewrite in Scientific Notation if needed.
Final Answer:
1.597 X 1015
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Example 2
Given: (2.93 X 10-2) • (8.3 X 10-5)
Multiply Decimals: 2.93 X 8.3 = 24.319
Add Exponents: 10-2 x 10-5=10-2+(-5)=10-7
Answer: 24.319 X 10-7
Rewrite in Scientific Notation
Final Answer: 2.43 X 10-6
Dividing Numbers in Scientific Notation
• Divide the decimal numbers.
• Then subtract the exponents
x
• General formula: N 10 N xy
y
10
M 10 M
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Example 1
Given: 8 • 10-3
2 • 10-2
Divide decimals: 8÷2 = 4
Subtract exponents: (-3)-(-2)= -1
Final Answer: 4 •10-1
Example 2
Given: 3.45 X 102
1.23 X 10-5
Divide decimals: 3.45 ÷ 1.23= 2.81
Subtract exponents: 2- -5 =7
Answer: 2.81 X 107
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