vdoc

Chapter 6: F. Measurement Conversions 53
Procedure for Values Greater Than 1 or Less Than –1.
To display a number greater than 1 or less than –1 in scientific notation, perform
these three steps:
1. Move the decimal point to the left so that the original number is now
displayed with a nonzero digit in the ones place.
For example, the number 234 would be displayed as 2.34 when we
move the decimal point to the left two times. The number –5567.8
would be displayed as –5.5678 when we move the decimal point three
times to the left.
2. Next, display the number of places the decimal moved to the left as
a positive power of ten.
For example, the decimal was moved two times to the left to convert
234 to 2.34. We will denote this as 10 2 .
The decimal was moved three times to the left to convert –5567.8
to –5.5678. This is denoted as 10 3 .
3. Put the two pieces together, linked by a multiplication sign.
For example, the value 234 is displayed as 2.34 × 10 2 in scientific
notation. The value –5567.8 is displayed as –5.5678 × 10 3 in
scientific notation.
Part I.F
Procedure for Values between –1 and +1
To display a number between zero and 1 or between –1 and zero in scientific notation,
perform these three steps:
1. Move the decimal point to the right so that the original number is now
displayed with a nonzero digit in the ones place.
For example, the number 0.234 would be displayed as 2.34 when we
move the decimal point to the right one time. The number –0.00556
would be displayed as –5.56 when we move the decimal point to the
right three times.
2. Next, display the number of places the decimal moved to the right as a
negative power of 10.
For example, the decimal was moved one time to the right to convert
0.234 to 2.34. We will denote this as 10 –1 .
The decimal was moved three times to the right to convert –0.00556
to –5.56. This is denoted as 10 –3 .
3. Put the two pieces together, linked by a multiplication sign.
For example, the value 0.234 is displayed as 2.34 × 10 –1 in scientific
notation. The value –0.00556 is displayed as –5.56 × 10 –3 in
scientific notation.