How do I convert scientific notation to decimal?

1 Answer
Oct 11, 2014

First, observe what happens when a particular number is multiplied or divided by multiples of 10.


#123.45 * 10 = 1234.5# Decimal place moved by 1 place to the right

#123.45 * 100 = 12345# Decimal place moved by 2 places to the right

#123.45 * 10000 = 1234500# Decimal place moved by 4 places to the right

#67.89 * 1/10 = 6.789# Decimal place moved by 1 place to the left

#67.89 * 1/100 = 0.6789# Decimal place moved by 2 places to the left

#67.89 * 1/10000 = 0.6789# Decimal place moved by 4 places to the left


Remember that a number's multiples can also be expressed exponential form

#1 = 10^0#
#10 = 10^1#
#100 = 10^2#
#10000 = 10^4#
#1/10 = 10^-1#
#1/100 = 10^-2#
#1/10000 = 10^-4#


A number in scientific notation form is in the form

#A * 10^b#

where #A# is a rational number in decimal form.

To convert to a number in scientific notation form,
move the decimal place by #b# places. If #b# is negative, move to the left. If #b# is positive, move to the right