How to Calculate Scientific Notation
What is Scientific Notation?
Scientific notation expresses very large or very small numbers as a coefficient (1 ≤ a < 10) multiplied by a power of 10. It is essential in science and engineering where values span many orders of magnitude.
Step-by-Step Guide
- 1Move the decimal point until you have a number between 1 and 10
- 2Count the number of places moved — this becomes the exponent
- 3If you moved left, the exponent is positive; if right, it is negative
- 4Write as: a × 10ⁿ
Worked Examples
Input
93,000,000
Result
9.3 × 10⁷
Decimal moved 7 places left
Input
0.00000045
Result
4.5 × 10⁻⁷
Decimal moved 7 places right
Input
6.022 × 10²³
Result
602,200,000,000,000,000,000,000
Avogadro's number
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