Exponential Notation

A number can be written as a product of two numbers, one of which is an integral power of 10. This type of representation is called exponential notation. Examine the following: 21,389 = 2.1389 x 10⁴

891 = 8.91 x 10²

0.04574 = 4.574 x 10^-2

0.00034 = 3.4 x 10^-4

Moving the decimal point in a number one place to the right is the same as multiplying the number by 10. Moving the decimal point in a number two places to the right is the same as multiplying the number by 100, and so forth.

123.4 x 10 = 1234 = 123.4 x 10¹

12.34 x 100 = 1234 = 12.34 x 10²

Moving the decimal point in a number one place to the left is the same as dividing the number by 10. Moving the decimal point in a number two places to the left is the same as dividing the number by 100, and so forth.

123.4 = 1234 / 10 = 123.4 x 10^-1

12.34 = 1234 / 100 = 12.34 x 10^-2

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