Expert: Bobby Soltani - 2/14/2006

Question
Write 123456789 in scientific notation and write .00001234 in scientific notation.

In the first one is it assumed the decimal is at the end? Thank you for your assistance:)

Answer
Hi,

You want to move the decimal so that the resulting number is between 1 and 9.99999...  When you move the decimal to the left you have to multiply by ten to compensate.  When you move the decimal to the right you have to divide by ten (or equivalently, multiply by 10^-1).

123456789.

We need to move the decimal to the left 8 spots.

1.23456789 x 10^8

0.00001234

Move to the right 5 places.

1.234 x 10^-5

Let me know if you have any questions.

Bobby