Scientific Notation and Computations

Examples:

200 = 200. = , 5/1000 = 0.005 = .

2. Notation:

Examples:

1 millimeter = micrometers = meters = kilometers

The mass of the Sun is grams = kilograms

3. To multiply in scientific notation, multiply the numbers in front, add the exponents, and (if necessary) change exponent so the number in front is between 1 and 10.

Examples:

What is the mass of a galaxy with Suns?

Answer: grams = grams.

4. To divide in scientific notation, divide the numbers in front, subtract the exponents, and (if necessary) change exponent so the number in front is between 1 and 10.

Examples:

How many atoms are in your body if your mass is 60 kilograms and a typical atomic mass is kilograms?

Answer: = atoms.

How long would it take for the Space Shuttle to reach the nearest star if it travels at 6 kilometers/second and the star is meters away?

Answer: meters / ( meters/second) = seconds = seconds. Note the change of units between kilometers and meters.