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Section 1.5

Scientific & Engineering Notation

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Scientific Notation

A number in scientific notation is expressed in the form______________________________where

and k is an ______________.

Examples:i) The speed of light is approximately 186,000 mi/s.

ii) The diameter of a typical individual fiber in a fiber optic communications cable is approximately 0.000005 m.

___ ____a

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To change a number in standard (ordinary) notation to scientific notation

1. Move the decimal point so that only ONE non-zero digit is to the left of it. This digit is .

2. The number of places the decimal point was moved is k, the power of ten.

– If the decimal point is moved to the left, then k is a ______________ integer.

– If the decimal point is moved to the right, then k is a ______________ integer.

3. Write the number in the form 10ka

a

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Operations Involving Scientific Notation

Express the numbers in scientific notation, divide powers of 10 using the laws of exponents.

E.g.0.00018

1,200,000,000

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Engineering Notation

A number in engineering notation is expressed in the form _________________ where and k is a _____________________________.

E.g. Write each number in engineering notation.

___ ____a

1) 15,060,000

2) 0.0014

3) 520