Scientific Notation

Step one: Convert the number you’re converting into a number between 1 and 10 by moving the decimal either to the left or to the right.

Examples:45,000 is converted to 4.5 by moving the decimal four spaces to the left

0.00045 is converted to 4.5 by moving the decimal four spaces to the right

Step two: Write the number that you came up with in step one, followed by “x 10”

Examples:45,000 = 4.5 x 10

0.00045 = 4.5 x 10

Step three: Count the number of decimal places you moved the decimal point in step one.

If the number that you’re converting is greater than 10, write a positive number as a superscript above the “x 10” from step 2.

If the number you’re converting is less than one, write a negative number.

Examples:45,000 = 4.5 x 104

0.00045 = 4.5 x 10-4