Algebra 2CP
Scientific Notation
1. Express each number in scientific notation. a) 896, 000
2. Evaluate. Express the result in scientific notation. a)
c)
b) 0.000056
 4.8 x10  6.9 x10 
2
4
c) 433.6x108
b)  3.7 x1078.7 x104
2.7 x105
9 x102
3. The term bit, short for binary digit, was first used in 1946 by John Tukey. A single bit holds a
zero or a one. Some computers use 32-bit numbers, or strings of 32 consecutive bits, to identify
each address in their memories. Each 32-bit number corresponds to a number in our base-ten
system. The largest 32-bit number is nearly 4, 295, 000, 000 . Write this number in scientific notation.
4. When light passes through water its velocity is reduced by 25%. If the speed of light in a
vacuum is 1.86 x105 miles per second, at what velocity does it travel through water? Write your
answer in scientific notation.
5. Deciduous and coniferous trees are hard to distinguish in a black-and-white photo. But
because deciduous trees reflect infrared energy better than coniferous trees, the two types of trees
are more distinguishable in an infrared photo. If an infrared wavelength measures about 8 x107
meters and a blue wavelength measures about 4.5 x107 meters, about how many times longer is the
infrared wavelength than the blue wavelength?