How do you write #0.005002# in scientific notation?

2 Answers
smendyka · EZ as pi
Jul 6, 2017

To write this term in scientific notation we need to move the decimal point 3 places to the right, therefore the exponent of the 10 will be negative:

#0.005002 = 5.002 xx 10^-3#

EZ as pi
Jul 15, 2017

#5.002 xx 10^-3#

Explanation:

When working with scientific notation, a useful rule of thumb is:

If the decimal point moves to the LEFT:

#rarr# the power of #10# INCREASES by #1# for each place moved.

#" "4color(blue)(50,000,000.) xx 10^0 = 4.5 xx 10^color(blue)(8)#
#" ".larrlarrlarr." "#(the decimal point moved #8# places left)

If the decimal point moves to the RIGHT:

#rarr# the power of #10# DECREASES by #1# for each place moved.

#" "0color(red)(.000,784) xx 10^0 = 7.84 xx 10^color(red)(-4)#
#" ".rarr." "#(the decimal point moved #4# places right)

Sometimes in calculations, numbers are obtained which are not in scientific notation. These have to be adjusted so that there is only ONE digit before the point.

#17.3 xx 10^15 = 1.73 xx 10^16#

#156 xx 10^-9 =1.56 xx 10^-7#

#0.00423 xx 10^18 = 4.23 xx 10^15#

#0.000,008,91 xx 10^-5 = 8.91 xx 10^-11#

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