Question

How do you use scientific notation to compute products and quotients?

Answer 1

Scientific notation is of the form `a*10^n`

What you do when you multiply is:
(1) you multiply the `a`'s
(2) you add the `n`'s (look at the signs!)

Example:
`(2.0*10^3)*(1.55*10^2)=(2.0*1.55)*10^(3+2)=3.1*10^5`

What you do when you divide is:
(1) you divide the `a`'s
(2) you subtract the `n`'s (look at the signs!)

Example:
`(3.1*10^5)/(2.0*10^3)=(3.1/2.0)*10^(5-3)=1.55*10^2`

Extra:
When there are negative signs in the exponents `n` you proceed just the same, but you have to be more careful.