Worksheet and Answer Key
Students will practice adding, subtracting, dividing and multiplying numbers that are in scientific notation .
This is a 4 part worksheet:
- Part I Model Problems
- Part II Practice
- Part III Challenge Problems
- Part IV Answer Key
Example Worksheet Questions
Directions: Write each number below in scientific notation .
Challenge Problems
- Scientific Notation and Standard Form
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3.8: Scientific Notation
- Last updated
- Save as PDF
- Page ID 58348
- Denny Burzynski & Wade Ellis, Jr.
- College of Southern Nevada via OpenStax CNX
Standard Form to Scientific Form
Very large numbers such as \(43,000,000,000,000,000,000\) (the number of different possible configurations of Rubik’s cube) and very small numbers such as \(0.000000000000000000000340\) (the mass of the amino acid tryptophan) are extremely inconvenient to write and read. Such numbers can be expressed more conveniently by writing them as part of a power of 10.
To see how this is done, let us start with a somewhat smaller number such as \(2480\). Notice that
\(\begin{aligned} \underbrace{2480}_{\text {Standard form }} &=248.0 \times 10^{1} \\ &=24.80 \times 10^{2} \\ &=\underbrace{2.480 \times 10^{3}}_{\text {Scientific form }} \end{aligned}\)
Scientific Form
The last form is called the scientific form of the number. There is one nonzero digit to the left of the decimal point and the absolute value of the exponent on 10 records the number of places the original decimal point was moved to the left .
\(\begin{aligned} 0.00059 &=\dfrac{0.0059}{10}=\dfrac{0.0059}{10^{1}}=0.0059 \times 10^{-1} \\ &=\dfrac{0.059}{100}=\dfrac{0.059}{10^{2}}=0.059 \times 10^{-2} \\ &=\dfrac{0.59}{1000}=\dfrac{0.59}{10^{3}}=0.59 \times 10^{-3} \\ &=\dfrac{5.9}{10,000}=\dfrac{5.9}{10^{4}}=5.9 \times 10^{-4} \end{aligned}\)
There is one nonzero digit to the left of the decimal point and the absolute value of the exponent of 10 records the number of places the original decimal point was moved to the right .
Scientific Notation
Numbers written in scientific form are also said to be written using scientific notation. In scientific notation , a number is written as the product of a number between and including 1 and 10 (1 is included,10 is not) and some power of 10.
Writing a Number in Scientific Notation
To write a number in scientific notation:
1. Move the decimal point so that there is one nonzero digit to its left. 2. Multiply the result by a power of 10 using an exponent whose absolute value is the number of places the decimal point was moved. Make the exponent positive if the decimal point was moved to the left and negative if the decimal point was moved to the right.
Sample Set A
Write the numbers in scientific notation.
Example \(\PageIndex{1}\)
The number \(981\) is actually \(981.\), and it is followed by a decimal point. In integers, the decimal point at the end is usually omitted.
\(981 = 981. = 9.81 \times 10^2\)
The decimal point is now two places to the left of its original position, and the power of \(10\) is \(2\).
Example \(\PageIndex{2}\)
\(54.066 = 5.4066 \times 10^1 = 5.4066 \times 10\)
The decimal point is one place to the left of its original position, and the power of \(10\) is \(1\)
Example \(\PageIndex{3}\)
\(0.000000000004632 = 4.632 \times 10^{-12}\)
The decimal point is twelve places to the right of its original position, and the power of \(10\) is \(−12\).
Example \(\PageIndex{4}\)
\(0.027 = 2.7 \times 10^{-2}\)
The decimal point is two places to the right of its original position, and the power of \(10\) is \(-2\)
Practice Set A
Write the following numbers in scientific notation.
Practice Problem \(\PageIndex{1}\)
\(3.46 \times 10^2\)
Practice Problem \(\PageIndex{2}\)
\(7.233 \times 10\)
Practice Problem \(\PageIndex{3}\)
\(5387.7965\)
\(5.3877965 \times 10^3\)
Practice Problem \(\PageIndex{4}\)
\(87,000,000\)
\(8.7 \times 10^7\)
Practice Problem \(\PageIndex{5}\)
\(179,000,000,000,000,000,000\)
\(1.79 \times 10^{20}\)
Practice Problem \(\PageIndex{6}\)
\(100,000\)
\(1.0 \times 10^5\)
Practice Problem \(\PageIndex{7}\)
\(1,000,000\)
\(1.0 \times 10^6\)
Practice Problem \(\PageIndex{8}\)
\(8.6 \times 10^{-3}\)
Practice Problem \(\PageIndex{9}\)
\(0.000098001\)
\(9.8001 \times 10^{-5}\)
Practice Problem \(\PageIndex{10}\)
\(0.000000000000000054\)
\(5.4 \times 10^{-17}\)
Practice Problem \(\PageIndex{11}\)
\(0.0000001\)
\(1.0 \times 10^{-7}\)
Practice Problem \(\PageIndex{12}\)
\(0.00000001\)
\(1.0 \times 10^{-8}\)
Scientific Form to Standard Form
A number written in scientific notation can be converted to standard form by reversing the process shown in Sample Set A.
Converting from Scientific Notation
To convert a number written in scientific notation to a number in standard form, move the decimal point the number of places prescribed by the exponent on the 10.
Positive Exponent Negative Exponent
Move the decimal point to the right when you have a positive exponent, and move the decimal point to the left when you have a negative exponent.
Sample Set B
Example \(\pageindex{5}\).
\(4.63 \times 10^4\)
The exponent of \(10\) is \(4\) so we must move the decimal point to the right \(4\) places (adding 0's if necessary).
\(4.6730 \times 10^4 = 46730\)
\(2.9 \times 10^7\)
The exponent of \(10\) is \(7\) so we must move the decimal point to the right \(7\) places (adding 0's if necessary).
\(2.9 \times 10^7 = 29000000\)
Example \(\PageIndex{6}\)
\(1 \times 10^{27}\)
The exponent of \(10\) is \(27\) so we must move the decimal point to the right \(27\) places (adding 0's if necessary).
\(1 \times 10^{27}= 1,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000\)
Example \(\PageIndex{7}\)
\(4.21 \times 10^{-5}\)
The exponent of \(10\) is \(-5\) so we must move the decimal point to the left \(5\) places (adding 0's if necessary).
\(4.21 \times 10^{-5} = 0.0000421\)
Example \(\PageIndex{8}\)
\(1.006 \times 10^{-18}\)
The exponent of \(10\) is \(-18\) so we must move the decimal point to the left \(18\) places (adding 0's if necessary).
\(1.006 \times 10^{-18} = 0.000000000000000001006\)
Practice Set B
Convert the following numbers to standard form.
Practice Problem \(\PageIndex{13}\)
\(9.25 \times 10^2\)
Practice Problem \(\PageIndex{14}\)
\(4.01 \times 10^5\)
Practice Problem \(\PageIndex{15}\)
\(1.2 \times 10^{-1}\)
Practice Problem \(\PageIndex{16}\)
\(8.88 \times 10^{-5}\)
\(0.0000888\)
Working with Numbers in Scientific Notation
Multiplying Numbers Using Scientific Notation
There are many occasions (particularly in the sciences) when it is necessary to find the product of two numbers written in scientific notation. This is accomplished by using two of the basic rules of algebra.
Suppose we wish to find \((a \times 10^n)(b \times 10^m). Since the only operation is multiplication, we can use the commutative property of multiplication to rearrange the numbers.
\((a \times 10^n)(b \times 10^m) = (a \times b)(10^n \times 10^m)
Then, by the rules of exponents, \(10^n \times 10^m = 10^{n+m}\). Thus,
\((a \times 10^n)(b \times 10^m) = (a \times b) \times 10^{n+m}\)
The product of \((a \times b)\) may not be between \(1\) and \(10\), so \((a \times b) \times 10^{n+m}\) may not be in scientific form. The decimal point in \((a \times b)\) may have to be moved. An example of this situation is in Sample Set C, example 3.8.10.
Sample Set C
Example \(\pageindex{9}\).
\(\begin{aligned} \left(2 \times 10^{3}\right)\left(4 \times 10^{8}\right) &=(2 \times 4)\left(10^{3} \times 10^{8}\right) \\ &=8 \times 10^{3+8} \\ &=8 \times 10^{11} \end{aligned}\)
Example \(\PageIndex{10}\)
\( \begin{aligned} \left(5 \times 10^{17}\right)\left(8.1 \times 10^{-22}\right) &=(5 \times 8.1)\left(10^{17} \times 10^{-22}\right) \\ &=40.5 \times 10^{17-22} \\ &=40.5 \times 10^{-5} \end{aligned} \)
We need to move the decimal point one place to the left to put this number in scientific notation. Thus, we must also change the exponent of \(10\).
\( \begin{array}{l} 40.5 \times 10^{-5} \\ 4.05 \times 10^{1} \times 10^{-5} \\ 4.05 \times\left(10^{1} \times 10^{-5}\right) \\ 4.05 \times\left(10^{1-5}\right) \\ 4.05 \times 10^{-4} \end{array} \)
Thus, \( \left(5 \times 10^{17}\right)\left(8.1 \times 10^{-22}\right)=4.05 \times 10^{-4} \)
Practice Set C
Perform each multiplication.
Practice Problem \(\PageIndex{17}\)
\((3 \times 10^5)(2 \times 10^{12})\)
\(6 \times 10^{17}\)
Practice Problem \(\PageIndex{18}\)
\((1 \times 10^{-4})(6 \times 10^{24}\)
\(6 \times 10^{20}\)
Practice Problem \(\PageIndex{19}\)
\((5 \times 10^{18})(3 \times 10^6)\)
\(1.5 \times 10^{25}\)
Practice Problem \(\PageIndex{20}\)
\((2.1 \times 10^{-9})(3 \times 10^{-11})\)
\(6.3 \times 10^{-20}\)
Convert the numbers used in the following problems to scientific notation.
Exercise \(\PageIndex{1}\)
Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa. It is 5890 meters high.
\(5.89 \times 10^3\)
Exercise \(\PageIndex{2}\)
The planet Mars is about 222,900,000,000 meters from the sun.
Exercise \(\PageIndex{3}\)
There is an irregularly shaped galaxy, named NGC 4449, that is about 250,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 meters from earth.
\(2.5 \times 10^{23}\)
Exercise \(\PageIndex{4}\)
The farthest object astronomers have been able to see (as of 1981) is a quasar named 3C427. There seems to be a haze beyond this quasar that appears to mark the visual boundary of the universe. Quasar 3C427 is at a distance of 110,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 meters from the earth.
Exercise \(\PageIndex{5}\)
The smallest known insects are about the size of a typical grain of sand. They are about 0.0002 meters in length (2 ten-thousandths of a meter).
\(2 \times 10^{-4}\)
Exercise \(\PageIndex{6}\)
Atoms such as hydrogen, carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen are about 0.0000000001 meter across.
Exercise \(\PageIndex{7}\)
The island of Manhattan, in New York, is about 57,000 square meters in area.
\(5.7 \times 10^4\)
Exercise \(\PageIndex{8}\)
The second largest moon of Saturn is Rhea. Rhea has a surface area of about 735,000 square meters, roughly the same surface area as Australia.
Exercise \(\PageIndex{9}\)
A star, named Epsilon Aurigae B, has a diameter (distance across) of 2,800,000,000,000 meters. This diameter produces a surface area of about 24,630,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 square meters. This star is what astronomers call a red giant and it is the largest red giant known. If Epsilon Aurigae were placed at the sun’s position, its surface would extend out to the planet Uranus.
\(2.8 \times 10^{12}\), \(2.463 \times 10^{25}\)
Exercise \(\PageIndex{10}\)
The volume of the planet Venus is 927,590,000,000,000,000,000 cubic meters.
Exercise \(\PageIndex{11}\)
The average mass of a newborn American female is about 3360 grams.
\(3.36 \times 10^3\)
Exercise \(\PageIndex{12}\)
The largest brain ever measured was that of a sperm whale. It had a mass of 9200 grams.
Exercise \(\PageIndex{13}\)
The mass of the Eiffel tower in Paris, France, is 8,000,000 grams.
\(8 \times 10^6\)
Exercise \(\PageIndex{14}\)
In 1981, a Japanese company built the largest oil tanker to date. The ship has a mass of about 510,000,000,000 grams. This oil tanker is more than 6 times as massive as the U.S. aircraft carrier, U.S.S. Nimitz.
Exercise \(\PageIndex{15}\)
In the constellation of Virgo, there is a cluster of about 2500 galaxies. The combined mass of these galaxies is 150,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 grams.
\(1.5 \times 10^{62}\)
Exercise \(\PageIndex{16}\)
The mass of an amoeba is about 0.000004 gram.
Exercise \(\PageIndex{17}\)
Cells in the human liver have masses of about 0.000000008 gram.
\(8 \times 10^{-9}\)
Exercise \(\PageIndex{18}\)
The human sperm cell has a mass of about 0.000000000017 gram.
Exercise \(\PageIndex{19}\)
The principal protein of muscle is myosin. Myosin has a mass of 0.00000000000000000103 gram.
\(1.03 \times 10^{-18}\)
Exercise \(\PageIndex{20}\)
Amino acids are molecules that combine to make up protein molecules. The amino acid tryptophan has a mass of 0.000000000000000000000340 gram.
Exercise \(\PageIndex{21}\)
An atom of the chemical element bromine has 35 electrons. The mass of a bromine atom is 0.000000000000000000000000031 gram.
\(3.1 \times 10^{-26}\)
Exercise \(\PageIndex{22}\)
Physicists are performing experiments that they hope will determine the mass of a small particle called a neutrino. It is suspected that neutrinos have masses of about 0.0000000000000000000000000000001 gram.
Exercise \(\PageIndex{23}\)
The approximate time it takes for a human being to die of asphyxiation is 316 seconds.
\(3.16 \times 10^2\)
Exercise \(\PageIndex{24}\)
On the average, the male housefly lives 1,468,800 seconds (17 days).
Exercise \(\PageIndex{25}\)
Aluminum-26 has a half-life of 740,000 years.
\(7.4 \times 10^5\)
Exercise \(\PageIndex{26}\)
Manganese-53 has a half-life of 59,918,000,000,000 seconds (1,900,000 years).
Exercise \(\PageIndex{27}\)
In its orbit around the sun, the earth moves a distance one and one half feet in about 0.0000316 second.
\(3.16 \times 10^{-5}\)
Exercise \(\PageIndex{28}\)
A pi-meson is a subatomic particle that has a half-life of about 0.0000000261 second.
Exercise \(\PageIndex{29}\)
A subatomic particle called a neutral pion has a half-life of about 0.0000000000000001 second.
\(1 \times 10^{-16}\)
Exercise \(\PageIndex{30}\)
Near the surface of the earth, the speed of sound is 1195 feet per second.
For the following problems, convert the numbers from scientific notation to standard decimal form.
Exercise \(\PageIndex{31}\)
The sun is about \(1 \times 10^8\) meteres from earth.
100,000,000
Exercise \(\PageIndex{32}\)
The mass of the earth is about \(5.98 \times 10^{27}\) grams.
Exercise \(\PageIndex{33}\)
Light travels about \(5.866 \times 10^{12}\) miles in one year.
5,866,000,000,000
Exercise \(\PageIndex{34}\)
One year is about \(3 \times 10^7\) seconds.
Exercise \(\PageIndex{35}\)
Rubik’s cube has about \(4.3 \times 10^{19}\) different configurations.
43,000,000,000,000,000,000
Exercise \(\PageIndex{36}\)
A photon is a particle of light. A 100-watt light bulb emits \(1 \times 10^{20}\) photons every second.
Exercise \(\PageIndex{37}\)
There are about \(6 \times 10^7\) cells in the retina of the human eye.
Exercise \(\PageIndex{38}\)
A car traveling at an average speed will travel a distance about equal to the length of the smallest fingernail in \(3.16 \times 10^{-4}\) seconds.
Exercise \(\PageIndex{39}\)
A ribosome of E. coli has a mass of about \(4.7 \times 10^{-19}\) grams.
0.00000000000000000047
Exercise \(\PageIndex{40}\)
A mitochondrion is the energy-producing element of a cell. A mitochondrion is about \(1.5 \times 10^{-6}\) meters in diameter.
Exercise \(\PageIndex{41}\)
There is a species of frogs in Cuba that attain a length of at most \(1.25 \times 10^{-2}\) meters.
Perform the following operations.
Exercise \(\PageIndex{42}\)
\((2 \times 10^4)(3 \times 10^5)\)
Exercise \(\PageIndex{43}\)
\((4 \times 10^2)(8 \times 10^6)\)
\(3.2 \times 10^9\)
Exercise \(\PageIndex{44}\)
\((6 \times 10^{14})(6 \times 10^{-10})\)
Exercise \(\PageIndex{45}\)
\((3 \times 10^{-5})(8 \times 10^7)\)
\(2.4 \times 10^3\)
Exercise \(\PageIndex{46}\)
\((2 \times 10^{-1})(3 \times 10^{-5})\)
Exercise \(\PageIndex{47}\)
\((9 \times 10^{-5})(1 \times 10^{-11})\)
\(9 \times 10^{-16}\)
Exercise \(\PageIndex{48}\)
\((3.1 \times 10^4)(3.1 \times 10^{-6})\)
Exercise \(\PageIndex{49}\)
\(4.2 \times 10^{-12})(3.6 \times 10^{-20})\)
\(1.512 \times 10^{-31}\)
Exercise \(\PageIndex{50}\)
\((1.1 \times 10^6)^2\)
Exercises for Review
Exercise \(\pageindex{51}\).
What integers can replace \(x\) so that the statement \(-6 < x < -2\) is true?
\(-5, -4, -3\)
Exercise \(\PageIndex{52}\)
Simplify \((5x^2y^4)(2xy^5)\)
Exercise \(\PageIndex{53}\)
Determine the value of \(-[-(-|-5|)]\).
Exercise \(\PageIndex{54}\)
Write \(\dfrac{x^3y^{-5}}{z^{-4}\) so that only positive exponents appear.
Exercise \(\PageIndex{55}\)
Write \((2z + 1)^3(2z + 1)^{-5}\) so that only positive exponents appear.
\(\dfrac{1}{(2z+1)^2}\)
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Study Guides > ALGEBRA / TRIG I
Problem solving with scientific notation, learning outcomes.
- Solve application problems involving scientific notation
Solve application problems
Think about it.
[latex]\begin{array}{c}\text{ density }=\frac{2\times10^{-11}\text{ grams }}{10^{-6}\text{ meters }^3}\\\text{ }\\\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,=2\times10^{-11-\left(-6\right)}\frac{\text{ grams }}{\text{ meters }^3}\\\text{ }\\\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,=2\times10^{-5}\frac{\text{ grams }}{\text{ meters }^3}\\\end{array}[/latex]
The average density of a human cell is [latex]2\times10^{-5}\frac{\text{ grams }}{\text{ meters }^3}[/latex]
[latex]\begin{array}{l}d=1.5\times10^{11}\\r=3\times10^{8}\frac{\text{ meters }}{\text{ second }}\\t=\text{ ? }\end{array}[/latex]
Write and Solve: Substitute the values we are given into the [latex]d=r\cdot{t}[/latex] equation. We will work without units to make it easier. Often, scientists will work with units to make sure they have made correct calculations.
[latex]\begin{array}{c}d=r\cdot{t}\\1.5\times10^{11}=3\times10^{8}\cdot{t}\end{array}[/latex]
Divide both sides of the equation by [latex]3\times10^{8}[/latex] to isolate t.
[latex]\begin{array}{c}1.5\times10^{11}=3\times10^{8}\cdot{t}\\\text{ }\\\frac{1.5\times10^{11}}{3\times10^{8}}=\frac{3\times10^{8}}{3\times10^{8}}\cdot{t}\end{array}[/latex]
On the left side, you will need to use the quotient rule of exponents to simplify, and on the right, you are left with t.
[latex]\begin{array}{c}\frac{1.5\times10^{11}}{3\times10^{8}}=\frac{3\times10^{8}}{3\times10^{8}}\cdot{t}\\\text{ }\\\left(\frac{1.5}{3}\right)\times\left(\frac{10^{11}}{10^{8}}\right)=t\\\text{ }\\\left(0.5\right)\times\left(10^{11-8}\right)=t\\0.5\times10^3=t\end{array}[/latex]
This answer is not in scientific notation, so we will move the decimal to the right, which means we need to subtract one factor of [latex]10[/latex].
[latex]0.5\times10^3=5.0\times10^2=t[/latex]
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The Math You Need, When You Need It
math tutorials for students majoring in the earth sciences
Scientific Notation - Practice Problems
Solving earth science problems with scientific notation, × div[id^='image-'] {position:static}div[id^='image-'] div.hover{position:static} introductory problems.
These problems cover the fundamentals of writing scientific notation and using it to understand relative size of values and scientific prefixes.
Problem 1: The distance to the moon is 238,900 miles. Write this value in scientific notation.
Problem 2: One mile is 1609.34 meters. What is the distance to the moon in meters using scientific notation?
`1609.34 m/(mi) xx 238","900 mi` = 384,400,000 m
Notice in the above unit conversion the 'mi' units cancel each other out because 'mi' is in the denominator for the first term and the numerator for the second term
Problem 4: The atomic radius of a magnesium atom is approximately 1.6 angstroms, which is equal to 1.6 x 10 -10 meters (m). How do you write this length in standard form?
0.00000000016 m
Fissure A = 40,0000 m Fissure B = 5,0000 m
This shows fissure A is larger (by almost 10 times!). The shortcut to answer a question like this is to look at the exponent. If both coefficients are between 1-10, then the value with the larger exponent is the larger number.
Problem 6: The amount of carbon in the atmosphere is 750 petagrams (pg). One petagram equals 1 x 10 15 grams (g). Write out the amount of carbon in the atmosphere in (i) scientific notation and (ii) standard decimal format.
The exponent is a positive number, so the decimal will move to the right in the next step.
750,000,000,000,000,000 g
Advanced Problems
Scientific notation is used in solving these earth and space science problems and they are provided to you as an example. Be forewarned that these problems move beyond this module and require some facility with unit conversions, rearranging equations, and algebraic rules for multiplying and dividing exponents. If you can solve these, you've mastered scientific notation!
Problem 7: Calculate the volume of water (in cubic meters and in liters) falling on a 10,000 km 2 watershed from 5 cm of rainfall.
`10,000 km^2 = 1 xx 10^4 km^2`
5 cm of rainfall = `5 xx 10^0 cm`
Let's start with meters as the common unit and convert to liters later. There are 1 x 10 3 m in a km and area is km x km (km 2 ), therefore you need to convert from km to m twice:
`1 xx 10^3 m/(km) * 1 xx 10^3 m/(km) = 1 xx 10^6 m^2/(km)^2` `1 xx 10 m^2/(km)^2 * 1 xx 10^4 km^2 = 1 xx 10^10 m^2` for the area of the watershed.
For the amount of rainfall, you should convert from centimeters to meters:
`5 cm * (1 m)/(100 cm)= 5 xx 10^-2 m`
`V = A * d`
When multiplying terms with exponents, you can multiply the coefficients and add the exponents:
`V = 1 xx 10^10 m^2 * 5.08 xx 10^(-2) m = 5.08 xx 10^8 m^3`
Given that there are 1 x 10 3 liters in a cubic meter we can make the following conversion:
`1 xx 10^3 L * 5.08 xx 10^8 m^3 = 5.08 xx 10^11 L`
Step 5. Check your units and your answer - do they make sense?
`V = 4/3 pi r^3`
Using this equation, plug in the radius (r) of the dust grains.
`V = 4/3 pi (2 xx10^(-6))^3m^3`
Notice the (-6) exponent is cubed. When you take an exponent to an exponent, you need to multiply the two terms
`V = 4/3 pi (8 xx10^(-18)m^3)`
Then, multiple the cubed radius times pi and 4/3
`V = 3.35 xx 10^(-17) m^3`
`m = 3.35 xx 10^(-17) m^3 * 3300 (kg)/m^3`
Notice in the equation above that the m 3 terms cancel each other out and you are left with kg
`m = 1.1 xx 10^(-13) kg`
`V = 4/3 pi (2.325 xx10^(15) m)^3`
`V = 5.26 xx10^(46) m^3`
Number of dust grains = `5.26 xx10^(46) m^3 xx 0.001` grains/m 3
Number of dust grains = `5.26xx10^43 "grains"`
Total mass = `1.1xx10^(-13) (kg)/("grains") * 5.26xx10^43 "grains"`
Notice in the equation above the 'grains' terms cancel each other out and you are left with kg
Total mass = `5.79xx10^30 kg`
If you feel comfortable with this topic, you can go on to the assessment . Or you can go back to the Scientific Notation explanation page .
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HiSET: Math : Solve problems using scientific notation
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for hiset: math, all hiset: math resources, example questions, example question #1 : solve problems using scientific notation.
Simplify the following expression using scientific notation.
You can solve this problem in several ways. One way is to convert each number out of scientific notation and write it out fully, then find the sum of the two values and convert the answer back into scientific notation.
Another, potentially faster, way to solve this problem is to convert one answer into the same scientific-notational terms as the other and then sum them.
Example Question #2 : Solve Problems Using Scientific Notation
Multiply, and express the product in scientific notation:
Convert 7,200,000 to scientific notation as follows:
Move the (implied) decimal point until it is immediately after the first nonzero digit (the 7). This required moving the point six units to the left:
Rearrange and regroup the expressions so that the powers of ten are together:
Multiply the numbers in front. Also, multiply the powers of ten by adding exponents:
In order for the number to be in scientific notation, the number in front must be between 1 and 10. An adjustment must be made by moving the implied decimal point in 36 one unit left. It follows that
the correct response.
Example Question #3 : Solve Problems Using Scientific Notation
Express the product in scientific notation.
None of the other choices gives the correct response.
Scientific notation refers to a number expressed in the form
Each factor can be rewritten in scientific notation as follows:
Now, substitute:
Apply the Product of Powers Property:
This is in scientific notation and is the correct choice.
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Operations With Scientific Notation Math Games
In this series of games, your students will learn to use perform operations with numbers expressed in scientific notation. The Operations With Scientific Notation learning objective — based on CCSS and state standards — delivers improved student engagement and academic performance in your classroom, as demonstrated by research . This learning objective directly references 8.EE.A.4 as written in the common core national math standards.
Scroll down for a preview of this learning objective’s games and the concepts.
Concepts Covered
Scientific notation is a way of writing very large or very small numbers. A number is written in scientific notation when a number between 1 and 10 is multiplied by a power of 10. A number can be expressed as a single digit multiplied by a power of ten by counting the place values until you arrive to the right of the one’s place and use the number of place values to be the power of 10.
Decimal notation or standard form can be converted to scientific notation. Convert between units of measure to solve problems. Use appropriate units of measure for the context of the problem. Recognize calculator and computer notation for scientific notation.
In total, there are three games in this learning objective, including:
- Gobble: Operations in Scientific Notation
- Scientific Astronautation
- Newton Pool
A further preview of each game is below.
You can access all of the games on Legends of Learning for free, forever, with a teacher account. A free teacher account also allows you to create playlists of games and assignments for students and track class progress. Sign up for free today!
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Objective 3
Problem solving with scientific notation, learning objectives.
- Solve application problems involving scientific notation
Water Molecule
Solve application problems
Learning rules for exponents seems pointless without context, so let’s explore some examples of using scientific notation that involve real problems. First, let’s look at an example of how scientific notation can be used to describe real measurements.
Think About It
Match each length in the table with the appropriate number of meters described in scientific notation below.
Red Blood Cells
One of the most important parts of solving a “real” problem is translating the words into appropriate mathematical terms, and recognizing when a well known formula may help. Here’s an example that requires you to find the density of a cell, given its mass and volume. Cells aren’t visible to the naked eye, so their measurements, as described with scientific notation, involve negative exponents.
Human cells come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. The mass of an average human cell is about [latex]2\times10^{-11}[/latex] grams [1] Red blood cells are one of the smallest types of cells [2] , clocking in at a volume of approximately [latex]10^{-6}\text{ meters }^3[/latex]. [3] Biologists have recently discovered how to use the density of some types of cells to indicate the presence of disorders such as sickle cell anemia or leukemia. [4] Density is calculated as the ratio of [latex]\frac{\text{ mass }}{\text{ volume }}[/latex]. Calculate the density of an average human cell.
Read and Understand: We are given an average cellular mass and volume as well as the formula for density. We are looking for the density of an average human cell.
Define and Translate: [latex]m=\text{mass}=2\times10^{-11}[/latex], [latex]v=\text{volume}=10^{-6}\text{ meters}^3[/latex], [latex]\text{density}=\frac{\text{ mass }}{\text{ volume }}[/latex]
Write and Solve: Use the quotient rule to simplify the ratio.
[latex]\begin{array}{c}\text{ density }=\frac{2\times10^{-11}\text{ grams }}{10^{-6}\text{ meters }^3}\\\text{ }\\\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,=2\times10^{-11-\left(-6\right)}\frac{\text{ grams }}{\text{ meters }^3}\\\text{ }\\\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,=2\times10^{-5}\frac{\text{ grams }}{\text{ meters }^3}\\\end{array}[/latex]
If scientists know the density of healthy cells, they can compare the density of a sick person’s cells to that to rule out or test for disorders or diseases that may affect cellular density.
The average density of a human cell is [latex]2\times10^{-5}\frac{\text{ grams }}{\text{ meters }^3}[/latex]
The following video provides an example of how to find the number of operations a computer can perform in a very short amount of time.
Light traveling from the sun to the earth.
In the next example, you will use another well known formula, [latex]d=r\cdot{t}[/latex], to find how long it takes light to travel from the sun to the earth. Unlike the previous example, the distance between the earth and the sun is massive, so the numbers you will work with have positive exponents.
The speed of light is [latex]3\times10^{8}\frac{\text{ meters }}{\text{ second }}[/latex]. If the sun is [latex]1.5\times10^{11}[/latex] meters from earth, how many seconds does it take for sunlight to reach the earth? Write your answer in scientific notation.
Read and Understand: We are looking for how long—an amount of time. We are given a rate which has units of meters per second and a distance in meters. This is a [latex]d=r\cdot{t}[/latex] problem.
Define and Translate:
[latex]\begin{array}{l}d=1.5\times10^{11}\\r=3\times10^{8}\frac{\text{ meters }}{\text{ second }}\\t=\text{ ? }\end{array}[/latex]
Write and Solve: Substitute the values we are given into the [latex]d=r\cdot{t}[/latex] equation. We will work without units to make it easier. Often, scientists will work with units to make sure they have made correct calculations.
[latex]\begin{array}{c}d=r\cdot{t}\\1.5\times10^{11}=3\times10^{8}\cdot{t}\end{array}[/latex]
Divide both sides of the equation by [latex]3\times10^{8}[/latex] to isolate t.
[latex]\begin{array}{c}1.5\times10^{11}=3\times10^{8}\cdot{t}\\\text{ }\\\frac{1.5\times10^{11}}{3\times10^{8}}=\frac{3\times10^{8}}{3\times10^{8}}\cdot{t}\end{array}[/latex]
On the left side, you will need to use the quotient rule of exponents to simplify, and on the right, you are left with t.
[latex]\begin{array}{c}\frac{1.5\times10^{11}}{3\times10^{8}}=\frac{3\times10^{8}}{3\times10^{8}}\cdot{t}\\\text{ }\\\left(\frac{1.5}{3}\right)\times\left(\frac{10^{11}}{10^{8}}\right)=t\\\text{ }\\\left(0.5\right)\times\left(10^{11-8}\right)=t\\0.5\times10^3=t\end{array}[/latex]
This answer is not in scientific notation, so we will move the decimal to the right, which means we need to subtract one factor of 10.
[latex]0.5\times10^3=5.0\times10^2=t[/latex]
The time it takes light to travel from the sun to the earth is [latex]5.0\times10^2=t[/latex] seconds, or in standard notation, 500 seconds. That’s not bad considering how far it has to travel!
Scientific notation was developed to assist mathematicians, scientists, and others when expressing and working with very large and very small numbers. Scientific notation follows a very specific format in which a number is expressed as the product of a number greater than or equal to one and less than ten, and a power of 10. The format is written [latex]a\times10^{n}[/latex], where [latex]1\leq{a}<10[/latex] and n is an integer. To multiply or divide numbers in scientific notation, you can use the commutative and associative properties to group the exponential terms together and apply the rules of exponents.
- Orders of magnitude (mass). (n.d.). Retrieved May 26, 2016, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orders_of_magnitude_(mass) ↵
- How Big is a Human Cell? ↵
- How big is a human cell? - Weizmann Institute of Science. (n.d.). Retrieved May 26, 2016, from http://www.weizmann.ac.il/plants/Milo/images/humanCellSize120116Clean.pdf ↵
- Grover, W. H., Bryan, A. K., Diez-Silva, M., Suresh, S., Higgins, J. M., & Manalis, S. R. (2011). Measuring single-cell density. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 108(27), 10992-10996. doi:10.1073/pnas.1104651108 ↵
- Revision and Adaptation. Provided by : Lumen Learning. License : CC BY: Attribution
- Application of Scientific Notation - Quotient 1 (Number of Times Around the Earth). Authored by : James Sousa (Mathispower4u.com) for Lumen Learning. Located at : https://youtu.be/15tw4-v100Y . License : CC BY: Attribution
- Application of Scientific Notation - Quotient 2 (Time for Computer Operations). Authored by : James Sousa (Mathispower4u.com) for Lumen Learning. Located at : https://youtu.be/Cbm6ejEbu-o . License : CC BY: Attribution
- Screenshot: water molecule. Provided by : Lumen Learning. License : CC BY: Attribution
- Screenshot: red blood cells. Provided by : Lumen Learning. License : CC BY: Attribution
- Screenshot: light traveling from the sun to the earth. Provided by : Lumen Learning. License : CC BY: Attribution
- Unit 11: Exponents and Polynomials, from Developmental Math: An Open Program. Provided by : Monterey Institute of Technology and Education. Located at : http://nrocnetwork.org/dm-opentext . License : CC BY: Attribution
IMAGES
VIDEO
COMMENTS
Operations with Scientific Notation Practice and Problem Solving: A/B Add or subtract. Write your answer in scientific notation. 1. 6.4 × 103 + 1.4 × 104 + 7.5 × 103 2. 4.2 × 106 − 1.2 × 105 − 2.5 × 105 ____________________________________________ _____________________________________________ 3. 3.3 × 109 + 2.6 × 109 + 7.7 × 108
Express this number in scientific notation. 0.3643. Stuck? Review related articles/videos or use a hint. Report a problem. Learn for free about math, art, computer programming, economics, physics, chemistry, biology, medicine, finance, history, and more. Khan Academy is a nonprofit with the mission of providing a free, world-class education for ...
Objective Students will practice adding, subtracting, dividing and multiplying numbers that are in scientific notation . Contents This is a 4 part worksheet: Part I Model Problems Part II Practice Part III Challenge Problems Part IV Answer Key Example Worksheet Questions Directions: Write each number below in scientific notation. Challenge Problems
Show Solution Several red blood cells. One of the most important parts of solving a "real-world" problem is translating the words into appropriate mathematical terms and recognizing when a well known formula may help. Here is an example that requires you to find the density of a cell given its mass and volume.
Operations with Scientific Notation Reteach To add or subtract numbers written in scientific notation: Check that the exponents of powers of 10 are the same. If not, adjust the decimal numbers and the exponents. Add or subtract the decimal numbers. Write the sum or difference and the common power of 10 in scientific notation format.
You might need: Calculator Light travels 9.45 ⋅ 10 15 meters in a year. There are about 3.15 ⋅ 10 7 seconds in a year. How far does light travel per second? Write your answer in scientific notation. meters Show Calculator Stuck? Review related articles/videos or use a hint. Report a problem Loading...
Operations with Scientific Notation Worksheets. This Algebra 1 - Exponents Worksheet produces problems for working with different operations with scientific notation. You may select problems with multiplication, division, or products to a power. This worksheet produces 12 problems per page.
Operations with Scientific Notation Practice and Problem Solving: D ... Write and solve an expression to find how many days are in one million seconds. Give your answer in standard form. ... Practice and Problem Solving: D 1. 4.044 104 2. 1.028 104 3. 2.8 106 4. 5.65 104 5. 2.048 1013
Writing a Number in Scientific Notation. To write a number in scientific notation: 1. Move the decimal point so that there is one nonzero digit to its left. 2. Multiply the result by a power of 10 using an exponent whose absolute value is the number of places the decimal point was moved.
Explore more topics and practice problems on our website, including interactive exercises, videos, and worksheets to further enhance your understanding of scientific notation and other math concepts! If you are looking for information on adding numbers in scientific notation or subtracting numbers in scientific notation, this video is a great ...
Problem Solving With Scientific Notation; ... [practice-area rows="1"][/practice-area] 2.You are writing a number whose absolute value is between 0 and 1 in scientific notation. ... you will see that performing mathematical operations such as multiplication and division on large and small numbers is made easier by scientific notation and the ...
Scientific notation is a system for abbreviating very large or very small numbers. Instead of that whole mess of zeroes, you could just write: 1.6726 x 10^ -27 kg. This makes it much less likely ...
Match each length in the table with the appropriate number of meters described in scientific notation below. One of the most important parts of solving a "real" problem is translating the words into appropriate mathematical terms, and recognizing when a well known formula may help. Here's an example that requires you to find the density of a ...
Problem 1: The distance to the moon is 238,900 miles. Write this value in scientific notation. Show me how Problem 2: If one mile is 1609.34 meters. What the distance to the moon in meters using scientific notation. Show me how Problem 3: The age of the Earth is roughly four billion and six hundred million years.
Solution EXAMPLE 2 Write the number 0.00041 in scientific notation. Solution EXAMPLE 3 Write the number 568200000000 in scientific notation. Solution EXAMPLE 4 Write the number 0.00000345 in scientific notation. Solution EXAMPLE 5
About Operations with Scientific Notations What is the Scientific Notation of Numbers? Adding and Subtracting with Scientific Notation Multiplying in Scientific Notation The Product of Powers Property Dividing in Scientific Notation The Quotient of Powers Property Solved Examples Frequently Asked Questions
Possible Answers: Correct answer: You can solve this problem in several ways. One way is to convert each number out of scientific notation and write it out fully, then find the sum of the two values and convert the answer back into scientific notation. Another, potentially faster, way to solve this problem is to convert one answer into the same ...
The answer is (5.7 × 104) + (4.87 × 105) = 5.44 × 105. Here are the steps for multiplying or dividing two numbers in scientific notation. Multiply/divide the decimal numbers. Multiply/divide the powers of 10 by adding/subtracting their exponents. Convert your answer to scientific notation if necessary.
Perform multiplication and division with numbers expressed in scientific notation, including problems where both standard decimal form and scientific notation are used. Use scientific notation and choose units of appropriate size for measurements of very large or very small quantities. ... Regents-Operations with Scientific Notation 1b IA/A/B ...
In this series of games, your students will learn to use perform operations with numbers expressed in scientific notation. The Operations With Scientific Notation learning objective — based on CCSS and state standards — delivers improved student engagement and academic performance in your classroom, as demonstrated by research.This learning objective directly references 8.EE.A.4 as written ...
Scientific notation follows a very specific format in which a number is expressed as the product of a number greater than or equal to one and less than ten, and a power of 10. The format is written a×10n a × 10 n, where 1 ≤a <10 1 ≤ a < 10 and n is an integer. To multiply or divide numbers in scientific notation, you can use the ...
Identify which is smaller. 1.2×10 −2 or 3.5×10 −4. 6 PRACTICE PROBLEM. The numbers below are written in scientific notation. Determine which is larger. 5.75×10 3 or 8.95×10 2. 7 PRACTICE PROBLEM. Round off 67321x10 -17 to three significant figures and express in correct scientific notation. 8 PRACTICE PROBLEM.
Scientific notation is a way of writing very large or very small numbers. Learn all about scientific notation in this interactive math lesson!