SCIENTIFIC
NOTATION
OBJECTIVES
1. explain the need for scientific notation
2. convert standard numbers to scientific notation
3. convert numbers in scientific notation to standard form
Why do we use it?
• Sometimes need to use large numbers in science
mass of the earth
6,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000kg
mass of an electron
0.000000000000000000000000000000911kg
• Scientific notation is used to make large numbers easier to
work with number times a multiple of 10
How does it work?
The decimal point is moved so that there is only one number to
the left of the decimal point. The number of places that the
decimal point moves appears as an exponent beside the 10.
– If the decimal point moves to the left, then the exponent is positive.
– If the decimal point moves to the right then the exponent is negative.
Examples
• mass of the earth becomes 6 x1027kg
• mass of an electron 9.11 x 10-31kg
• NOTE that exponents are written smaller and
raised up. Be clear when you write them.
How do we use our calculators
for scientific notation?
• Find the “EE” or “EXP” button.
• Using this button automatically tells the
calculator that you are using scientific notation
• Do NOT use the yx or 10x buttons.
• Use the normal +, -, x, ÷ buttons to do math
with numbers in scientific notation