Scientific
Notation
By: Glenn Bernard Thompson
What is scientific
notation?
Scientific notation is using
exponents to show big numbers.
EX: 105 10-5 (negative too!)
What does it mean?
9
The exponent: 10 
tells how many zeros
follow a one.
Why not following a 10?
The big number tells what base you are using. (Base
10) so we use a 1!
Can I multiply with it?
Yes! 6x103 is 6,000. I took the exponent: 3; then added
that many zeros to 6. 6 with 3 zeros on the end is
6000 which Is 6,000!
Can I divide with it?
Every number has a decimal point. 1.00 = 1, so move
the decimal the number of places to the left. (this
applies to positive numbers by moving the decimal to
the right!). 6/103 is .006 that’s 6 thousandths!
Cool, right!
Can sizes be measured
with exponential
notation?
100 = 1 meter
10-2 = 1 centimeter
10-3 = 1 millimeter
10-6 = 1 micrometer
10-9 = nanometer
10-10 = angstrom
10- 12 = picometer (really small)
Can I measure cells in
the human body?
*sigh* . . . 37 trillion cells? Okay. I hope you’re ready.
We write it as 37,000,000,000,000. count the 0’s. 12
of them. Write down your 10 then add the number of
zeros. (remember 12) as the exponent. 1012! That is it.
37x1012 = 37,000,000,000,000 cells in the human body!
You are ready. . . Your exponential notation adventure
awaits
P.S. this was my real life example!
Special thanks:
The information came from:
learning sizes at utah science
BYE!!!