Scientific Notation Study Guide

This set of flashcards covers key concepts related to scientific notation, including definitions, conversions, and comparisons to engineering notation.

What is the first number in scientific notation called?

The first number is called the coefficient.

What must the coefficient be between in scientific notation?

The coefficient must be between 1 and 10.

What is the second part of scientific notation?

The second part is an exponent of 10.

Should we always include units in scientific notation?

Yes, we must always include it if there is a unit.

Which of the following is properly written in scientific notation: 0.025 x 103 m, 2.1 x 100 m, 109.3 x 10-3 m, 5.1 x 10-24 m?

2.1 x 100 m is properly written in scientific notation.

What does shifting the decimal point achieve?

Shifting the decimal point achieves the same thing as multiplying or dividing by 10.

Is 3.1 x 101 equal to 31?

True.

Is 4.76 x 102 equal to 476?

True.

Is 9.6 x 10-1 equal to 0.96?

True.

Is 5.6 x 10-3 equal to 0.0056?

True.

What do positive exponents represent?

Positive exponents represent big numbers.

What do negative exponents represent?

Negative exponents represent small numbers.

Is the number 8.187 x 10-23 a big or small number?

It is a very small number.

Which is the largest number: 3.4 x 10-5, 2.1 x 100, 9.9 x 1010, or 8.2 x 1031?

9.9 x 1010 is the largest number.

How do you convert 203 feet to scientific notation?

203 feet in scientific notation is 2.03 x 102 feet.

How do you convert 2,943,207 m to scientific notation?

2,943,207 m in scientific notation is 2.943207 x 106 m.

How do you convert 0.0025 minutes to scientific notation?

0.0025 minutes in scientific notation is 2.5 x 10-3 minutes.

How do you convert 0.0000734 sec to scientific notation?

0.0000734 sec in scientific notation is 7.34 x 10-5 sec.

How do you convert 2.2 x 102 km to standard notation?

2.2 x 102 km in standard notation is 220 km.

How do you convert 8.24 x 104 g to standard notation?

8.24 x 104 g in standard notation is 82,400 g.

How do you convert 4.3 x 10-1 sec to standard notation?

4.3 x 10-1 sec in standard notation is 0.43 sec.

How do you convert 7.043 x 10-4 miles to standard notation?

7.043 x 10-4 miles in standard notation is 0.0007043 miles.

Do calculators show exponents of 10 as e or E?

True.

What is the number 3.02e-14 in scientific notation?

3.02 x 10-14.

How are scientific notation and engineering notation similar?

They are very similar.

What must the coefficient in scientific notation be between?

The coefficient must be between 1 and 10.

What is the typical range for the coefficient in engineering notation?

The coefficient is typically between 1 and 1,000.

What must the exponent be in engineering notation?

The exponent must be a multiple of 3.

Can the exponent in scientific notation be any number?

Yes, the exponent can be any number.