# How does scientific notation differ from standard notation?

Jun 12, 2018

As detailed below. Hope this helps.

#### Explanation:

Scientific notation (also referred to as scientific form or standard index form, or standard form in the UK) is a way of expressing numbers that are too big or too small to be conveniently written in decimal form.

To change a number from scientific notation to standard form, move the decimal point to the left (if the exponent of ten is a negative number), or to the right (if the exponent is positive). You should move the point as many times as the exponent indicates.

An example of scientific notation is 1.3 ×106 which is just a different way of expressing the standard notation of the number 1,300,000. Standard notation is the normal way of writing numbers.

What are the rules for using scientific notation?

The number of digits counted becomes the exponent, with a base of ten. Count left and the exponent is positive; count right, and it is negative. There are also rules to follow to ensure the number is in the correct form and for performing arithmetic with numbers that are represented in scientific notation.