College Algebra Tutorial 3


College Algebra
Answer/Discussion to Practice Problems 
Tutorial 3: Scientific Notation

WTAMU > Virtual Math Lab > College Algebra > Tutorial 3: Scientific Notation


 

 

check markAnswer/Discussion to 1a

problem 1a
 

Step 1:  Move the decimal point so that you have a number that is between 1 and 10.

 
answer 1a1
*Decimal is at the end of the number
 

*Move decimal to create a number between 1 and 10
 

Step 2:   Count the number of decimal places moved in Step 1 .

 
How many decimal places did we end up moving?
We started at the end of the number 123400 and moved it between the 1 and 2.  That looks like a move of 5 places.

What direction did it move?
Looks like we moved it to the left.

So, our count is +5.
 

Step 3:   Write as a product of the number (found in Step 1) and 10 raised to the power of the count (found in Step 2).

 
answer 1a2

 
Note how the number we started with is a bigger number than the one we are multiplying by in the scientific notation.  When that is the case, we will end up with a positive exponent.

 
(return to problem 1a)


 

 

Check markAnswer/Discussion to 2a

problem 2a
 

answer 2a

*Move the decimal 6 to the left

 
(return to problem 2a)


 

 

Check markAnswer/Discussion to 3a

problem 3a
 

answer 3a2

*When mult. like bases you add your exponents: 7 + (-2) = 5

*Move the decimal 5 to the right
 
 

(return to problem 3a)


 

 

Check markAnswer/Discussion to 3b

problem 3b
 

answer 3b
*When div. like bases you subtract your exponents: -4 - 9 = -13
 

*Move the decimal 13 to the left
 
 

(return to problem 3b)

 

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WTAMU > Virtual Math Lab > College Algebra > Tutorial 3: Scientific Notation


Last revised on Dec. 5, 2009 by Kim Seward.
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