Scientific Notation
Key points
- Scientific Notation is used for extremely large quantities
- For addition and subtraction: adjust to get the same powers, then add/subtract the numbers and keep the power.
- For multiplication and division: multiply/divide the numbers, and add/subtract the powers
- Adjust answers to scientific notation
Addition and Subtraction: Obtain the same exponent
- Move the decimal point of the smaller number so it matches the larger one.
- Add/subtract the numbers – keep the power the same
- Adjust to scientific notation if necessary
Multiplication and Division:
- Multiply/divide the numbers without their respective powers.
- Add the powers if you are multiplying, subtract if you are dividing.
- Adjust to scientific notation if necessary
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