Multiplying and Dividing in Scientific Notation Multiplying and dividing in scientific notation is a little different then adding and subtracting The biggest difference is that if the exponents are not the same in multiplication and division problems, we can still compute with them. o For example, these are all problems we can solve: 1. 7.01 10 5 5.63 10 5 2. 4.8 10 2 2.4 10 6 3. 7.792 10 6 3.578 10 6 4. 6.2 10 3 3.17 10 7 Here is an example of how we multiply in scientific notation: Multiply: 6.2 10 3 3.17 10 7 o To multiply this, we do 2 steps: 1. Multiply the decimals 6.2 3.17 19.654 2. Subtract our exponents -3-7=-10 o So our answer becomes 19.654 10 10 That answer is not in scientific notation, se we need to move our decimal over to the left once, and add 1 to our exponent So our answer will become: o 19.654 10 10 1.9654 10 9 Here is an example of how to divide in scientific notation: Divide: 3.9 108 6.5 10 4 o To divide this, we de 2 steps: 1. Divide the decimals 3.9 6.5 0.6 2. Subtract your exponents 8-(-4)=12 o So our answer becomes: 0.6 1012 . That answer is not in scientific notation, so we need to move our decimal over to the right once, and subtract 1 from our exponent. So our answer will become: o 0.6 1012 6.0 1011