Correct Scientific Notation

Correct Scientific Notation

Scientific Notation

  1. Scientific Notation is a way to express very small or very large numbers.
  2. Scientific Notation is most often used in “scientific” calculations where the analysis must be very precise.
  3. Scientific Notation consists of two parts*:
    1. a number between 1 and 10, such that
      1≤n<10
      and
    2. a power of 10.

* A large or small number may be written as any power of 10; however, CORRECT scientific notation must satisfy the above criteria.
3.2 × 1013       is correct scientific notation
23.6 × 10-8     is not correct scientific notation
Remember that the first number MUST BE greater than or equal to one and less than 10.