I have a science test on Tuesday, and I need some help on scientific notation. I need to know how do you know when the decimal point goes left or right, and how do you know when an exponent is positive or negative? If anyone knows what I'm talking about, and can help me, your help is greatly appreciated! Thanks.

1 = 1 x 10^0
10 = 1 x 10^1
100 = 1 x 10^2
1000 = 1 x 10^3

0.1 = 1 x 10^-1
0.01 = 1 x 10^-2
0.001 = 1 x 10^-3

Is that what you mean?

If the number is greater than zero the exponent is positive. The decimal will move left and be placed directly to the right of the first non-zero number reading left from right (i.e....576000 is written 5.76*10^5).

If the number is less than zero the exponent is negative, and if reading left to right the decimal goes after the first nonzero number again (i.e...... 0.00245 is written 2.45*10^-3)




Hope this helped.






ks