SCIENTIFIC NOTATION
Review of Introductory Mathematics
Step 3:
Rewrite the number in integer form.
Example:
Convert 4.4 x 103 to integer form.
Solution:
Addition
In order to add two or more numbers using scientific notation, the following three steps must be
used.
Step 1:
Change all addends to have the same power of ten by moving the decimal
point (that is, change all lower powers of ten to the highest power).
Step 2:
Add the decimal numbers of the addends and keep the common power of
ten.
Step 3:
If necessary, rewrite the decimal with a single number to the left of the
decimal point.
For example, for 3.5 x 103 + 5 x 102 you are asked to add 3.5 thousands to 5 hundreds.
Converting 3.5 thousands to 35 hundreds ( 3.5 x 103 = 35 x 102) we obtain 35 hundreds + 5
hundreds = 40 hundreds or 3.5 x 103 = 35 x 102 + 5 x 102 = 4 x 103.
The student should do
the same problem by converting the 5 x 102 to thousands and then adding.
Example:
Add (9.24 x 104) + (8.3 x 103)
Solution:
Step 1:
9.24 x 104 = 9.24 x 104
8.3 x 103= 0.83 x 104
MA-01
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