What is Scientific Notation?
Scientific notation is a special way to write very large or very small numbers.
It makes working with huge numbers (like distances between planets) or tiny numbers (like the size of atoms) much easier. Scientific notation looks like this: a × 10n where a is a number between 1 and 10, and n is an integer.
Standard Notation: 5,600,000
Scientific Notation: 5.6 × 106
How to Convert Between Them
1️⃣ Standard to Scientific: Move the decimal until there's one non-zero digit left, count the moves → that's your exponent
2️⃣ Scientific to Standard: Move the decimal based on the exponent (right if positive, left if negative)
3️⃣ Check your work: Make sure your final number matches the original value
Let's Practice Together!
Example 1: Convert to Scientific Notation
Convert 34,500 to scientific notation:
1. Move the decimal after the first digit: 3.4500
2. Count how many places you moved (4 places to the left)
3. Write it as: 3.45 × 104
Now you try: Convert 7,200,000 to scientific notation
Example 2: Convert to Standard Notation
Convert 2.3 × 105 to standard notation:
1. The exponent is positive 5, so move the decimal 5 places to the right
2. Add zeros as needed: 230,000
Now you try: Convert 6.02 × 103 to standard notation
Parent Tips 🌟
- Real-world connections: Show how scientists use scientific notation in space distances (like Earth to Sun = 1.5 × 108 km) or microscopic measurements.
- Decimal dance: Have your child physically move (like a dance step) to represent the decimal moving left or right - great for kinesthetic learners!
- Calculator practice: Show how to enter and read scientific notation on a calculator (usually appears as "E" or "EE").