Question

How would I put this decimial into scientific notation? Please help...
0.00000004049

Is this correct? 4.049 x 10^8

Answer 1

close..it's -8 because the decimal is on the left ;)

Answer 2

Hmm but the exponent shouldve been negative

Answer 3

Yeah, when it's 1 over something, we have a negative exponent.

Answer 4

just count the number of places you move the decimal point to the right to get a number between 1 and 10. that will be the power... just needs the negative for a decimal

Answer 5

So it's 4.049 x 10^-8 ...That explains why got it wrong, but how do I know if it should be negative or positive... these always confuse me... @campbell_st @ParthKohli @lgbasallote

Answer 6

Well it's easy. First convert this into fraction.

Answer 7

i remember it this way

2 x 10 = 20

2x x 10^2 = 2 x 100 = 200

therefore i can conclude that if it's positive exponent then the zeroes to the right increase ;)

Answer 8

negative exponent is opposite of course

Answer 9

\( \color{Black}{\Rightarrow \Large {1 \over 4.049 \times 10^8} }\)

Now, as 1/(x^y) = x^(-y), we'll have 4.049 * 10^-8

Answer 10

I never get fractions :( I still don't get why it is negative ? @ParthKohli @lgbasallote

Answer 11

1 DIVIDED by 10 (10 is 10^1) = 0.1
1 DIVIDED by 100 (100 is 10^2) = 0.01
1 DIVIDED by 1000 (1000 is 10^3) = 0.001

is that making sense?

Answer 12

\[\large \frac{1}{10} = 10^{-1}\]
\[\large \frac{1}{100} = 10^{-2}\]
\[\large \frac{1}{1000} = 10^{-3}\]

Answer 13

\( \color{Black}{\Rightarrow \Large {1 \over x^y} = x^{-y} }\)

This is the identity. Do you understand now?

Answer 14

Yesss! :) Thanks everyone! :) @ParthKohli @lgbasallote @campbell_st

Answer 15

yw! ^_^

Answer 16

most welcome ^_^ \[\huge \color{maroon}{\mathtt{\text{<tips hat>}}}\]

Answer 17

haha Thats cute!!! :-* @ParthKohli @lgbasallote

Answer 18

lol