Scientific notation is the answer

To use scientific notation successfully you need to remember that:

• 10² = 100, 10³ = 1000, 10⁴ = 10,000 and so on - and also that:
• 10^-1 =1/10 = 0.1, 10^-2 = 1/100= 0.01, 10^-3 = 1/1000= 0.001 and so on.
   

A tip to remember is to count the places for zeroes.

• In the speed of light example 3,00,000,000 there are eight between the leftmost number and the decimal point - 3 x 10⁸m/s.

When counting places for zeroes with very small numbers you need to include the zero to the left of the decimal point too.

• In the red blood cell example, diameter is 0.000007m  - 7 x 10^-6 m.
   

 Significant Figures

Bookmark this page