# Scientific Notation

## Key Questions

• If the power is positive, move the decimal point to the right, but if the power is negative, then move the decimal point to the left. Let us look at the following examples.

Examples

$1.2345 \times {10}^{3} = 1234.5$

$1.2345 \times {10}^{7} = 12345000$

$1.2345 \times {10}^{- 4} = 0.00012345$

I hope that this was helpful.

Elemental (atomic) quantities and cosmic (space) quantities, as well as many technological metrics.

#### Explanation:

As the name implies, its primary use is in the sciences, where huge ranges of values may be encountered. It is also often used when accuracy must be communicated consistently.

Chemists, physicists, astronomers and biologists (and related disciplines) use scientific notation on a regular basis.

"Common" usage is something else, as most daily interactions and metrics of life do not need the range or accuracy of scientific notation. But, if you do not at least understand how they are created and why they are used, you may miss some important information when they are used by other people.

• A means of expressing very large or small numbers by powers of ten so that the values are more easily understood.