M8N1.j.Express and use numbers in scientific notations

Scientific notations is simply a method for expressing, and working with, very large or very small numbers. It is a short hand methods for writing number, and as easy methods for calculations. Number in scientific notation are made of three parts : the coefficient,the base, and the exponent.

Example #1

5.67 x 105

This is scientific notation for the standard number, 567,000. Now look at the number again with the three parts lableled.

Example #2

5.67 x 10

cofficient base exponent

In order for a number to be in correct scientific notation, the following conditions must be true:

1. The coefficent must be greater than _> or equal to 1 and < less than 10.
2. The base must be 10.
3. The exponent must show the number of decimal places that the decimal needs to be moved to changed the number to standard notation. A negative exponent means that the decimal is moved to the left when changing to standard notation.