To convert a number to scientific notation, follow these steps based on the provided guidelines:
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Determine the Original Number: Identify the original number that needs to be converted into scientific notation.
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Move the Decimal:
- If the original number is greater than or equal to 10: Move the decimal point to the left until the number is greater than or equal to 1 but less than 10.
- If the original number is less than 1: Move the decimal point to the right until the number is greater than or equal to 1 but less than 10.
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Write the Adjusted Number: Write the resulting number from the decimal movement in the required format, ensuring there are no trailing zeros after the last significant digit.
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Determine the Exponent: Count how many places the decimal point has moved.
- If the decimal point has moved to the left, the exponent will be positive.
- If the decimal point has moved to the right, the exponent will be negative.
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Put It All Together: The final step is to multiply the adjusted number by 10 raised to the power of the determined exponent.
Here’s how the blanks might be filled in based on a hypothetical example:
- If the original number is greater than 10, move: left.
- If the original number is less than 1, move: right.
- Write the number from step 3 without trailing: zeros.
- Determine the: exponent.
- If the decimal point moves left, the exponent is: positive.
- If the decimal point moves right, the exponent is: negative.
- Multiply the number part by: 10 raised to the exponent.
You can apply this process to any specific number you want to convert into scientific notation.