# How do you write 0.0050004 in scientific notation?

Oct 31, 2015

5.0004 x ${10}^{-} 3$

#### Explanation:

Scientific notation is written in the form n x ${10}^{a}$,
where n is equal to or greater than 1 but less than 10, and a is the number of times 10 is being multiplied by to get the original number.

First, figure out what n is. Remember that n must be equal to or greater than 1 but less than 10. So it would be 5.0004 in this case.

Then, figure out how many times you must move the decimal from n to get the original number.
5.0004 is n , and the original number is 0.0050004. So that means we must move the decimal 3 times to the left from 5.0004 to get the original number.

a (the exponent on the 10) will represent the number of times 10 was multiplied by to get the number, or the number of times you moved the decimal. Take note of what direction you moved the decimal from n . If you moved it to the left, then the exponent will be negative. If you moved it right, then the exponent will be positive.

Because we moved the decimal three times from 5.0004 to get 0.0050004, then the exponent will be $- 3.$

You can also think of it as if the original number is smaller than 1, then the exponent is negative, but if it is larger than 1, then it is positive.