Scientific Notation Cheat Sheet
Scientific Notation Cheat Sheet
Converting Standard Form to Scientific Notation
\( a \times 10^b \)
Rule: \( 1 \le |a| < 10 \) • 1 non-zero digit before decimal
3-Step Conversion:
1
Place Decimal: Move decimal point so exactly one digit (1–9) is in front.
2
Count Jumps: Count places the decimal moved. That is power \( b \).
3
Assign Sign:
Big (\( \ge 10 \)) → +pos
Small (\( < 1 \)) → −neg
Visual Jump Examples:
Large (≥ 10) + power
6 2 0 0 0 0 NEW . 5 jumps left (←)
Answer: \( 6.2 \times 10^5 \)
Small (< 1) − power
0 0 0 0 4 7 NEW . 4 jumps right (→)
Answer: \( 4.7 \times 10^{-4} \)
Scientific Notation Cheat Sheet
Converting Standard Form to Scientific Notation
\( a \times 10^b \)
Rule: \( 1 \le |a| < 10 \) • 1 non-zero digit before decimal
3-Step Conversion:
1
Place Decimal: Move decimal point so exactly one digit (1–9) is in front.
2
Count Jumps: Count places the decimal moved. That is power \( b \).
3
Assign Sign:
Big (\( \ge 10 \)) → +pos
Small (\( < 1 \)) → −neg
Visual Jump Examples:
Large (≥ 10) + power
6 2 0 0 0 0 NEW . 5 jumps left (←)
Answer: \( 6.2 \times 10^5 \)
Small (< 1) − power
0 0 0 0 4 7 NEW . 4 jumps right (→)
Answer: \( 4.7 \times 10^{-4} \)
Cut along dashed line
Scientific Notation Cheat Sheet
Converting Standard Form to Scientific Notation
\( a \times 10^b \)
Rule: \( 1 \le |a| < 10 \) • 1 non-zero digit before decimal
3-Step Conversion:
1
Place Decimal: Move decimal point so exactly one digit (1–9) is in front.
2
Count Jumps: Count places the decimal moved. That is power \( b \).
3
Assign Sign:
Big (\( \ge 10 \)) → +pos
Small (\( < 1 \)) → −neg
Visual Jump Examples:
Large (≥ 10) + power
6 2 0 0 0 0 NEW . 5 jumps left (←)
Answer: \( 6.2 \times 10^5 \)
Small (< 1) − power
0 0 0 0 4 7 NEW . 4 jumps right (→)
Answer: \( 4.7 \times 10^{-4} \)
Scientific Notation Cheat Sheet
Converting Standard Form to Scientific Notation
\( a \times 10^b \)
Rule: \( 1 \le |a| < 10 \) • 1 non-zero digit before decimal
3-Step Conversion:
1
Place Decimal: Move decimal point so exactly one digit (1–9) is in front.
2
Count Jumps: Count places the decimal moved. That is power \( b \).
3
Assign Sign:
Big (\( \ge 10 \)) → +pos
Small (\( < 1 \)) → −neg
Visual Jump Examples:
Large (≥ 10) + power
6 2 0 0 0 0 NEW . 5 jumps left (←)
Answer: \( 6.2 \times 10^5 \)
Small (< 1) − power
0 0 0 0 4 7 NEW . 4 jumps right (→)
Answer: \( 4.7 \times 10^{-4} \)
