1/26/09
Post date: Jan 26, 2009 2:45:35 AM
Bell Ringer: What is scientific notation? What do we use it for?
Scientific notation
Used to express very large or very small numbers
General format is M x 10^n
M is the non-zero numbers at the left side of a very large or small number. M is always a number with only one digit to the left of the decimal
n tells us how far to move the decimal place (positive means right, negative means left)
e.g. 4.5 x 10^3 is the same as 4500 (decimal in 4.5 was moved to the right 3 places)
e.g. 6.8 x 10^-3 is the same as 0.0068 (decimal in 6.8 was moved to the left 3 places)
Read "Scientific Notation" on pages 15-16
Do Page 16: 1-3 (due tuesday), but don't turn in yet because we'll add to it
Prefixes
Each prefix has a "multiplier" associated with it. In order to change a unit with a prefix to the base unit, simply replace the prefix with the multiplier
e.g. the multiplier for kilo is 10^3, so 143 kilometers is the same as 143 x 10^3 meters.
Add Page 17: 4-5 to the previous 3 problems.