Scientific notation, also called standard form, writes a number as A × 10ⁿ, where A is at least 1 and less than 10. So 14 000 = 1.4 × 10⁴ and 0.0032 = 3.2 × 10⁻³.
To multiply, multiply the A parts and add the powers: (3 × 10⁵) × (2 × 10³) = 6 × 10⁸. To divide, divide the A parts and subtract the powers. If A ends up outside 1 to 10, adjust it: 12 × 10⁴ = 1.2 × 10⁵.
Worked example
Work out (8 × 10⁷) ÷ (2 × 10³). Give your answer in standard form.
- 8 ÷ 2 = 4.
- 10⁷ ÷ 10³ = 10⁴.
Answer:4 × 10⁴
Key words
- standard form
- A × 10ⁿ with 1 ≤ A < 10
- power of ten
- 10 raised to an index
- negative power
- a number less than 1
Practise this
New questions every time.
Common Core-referenced: 8.EE.A.3, 8.EE.A.4