Scientific Arithmetic
Scientists use scientific notation to help with
the arithmetic of large and small numbers
1000000 = 106
0.000001 = 1/1000000 = 10-6
1230000 = 1.23 x 106
0.00000123 = 1.23 x 10-6
The same number can take different forms
1230000 = 1.23 x 106 = 12.3 x 105 = 0.123 x 107
The form 1.23 x 106 is preferred.
To multiply, you add the exponents:
(1.2 x 106) x (2.0 x 105) = 2.4 x 1011
To divide, you subtract the exponents:
(4.2 x 1012) / (2.0 x 108) = 2.1 x 104
To add, you have to make the exponents the same first:
(1.2 x 106) + (2.0 x 105) =
(1.2 x 106) + (0.2 x 106) =
1.4 x 106
Try it!
- The University of Oregon is located on which river?
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The Willammette.
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The Wilammette.
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The Willamette.
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The Wilamette.
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The Willammete.
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The Wilammete.
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The Willamete.
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The Wilamete.
- In a matchup between the UO and the OSU women's basketball
teams, the likely winner is
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OSU.
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UO.
- 456000000 =
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4.56 x 101.
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4.56 x 102.
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4.56 x 103.
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4.56 x 104.
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4.56 x 105.
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4.56 x 106.
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4.56 x 107.
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4.56 x 108.
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4.56 x 109.
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4.56 x 1010.
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4.56 x 1011.
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4.56 x 1012.
- 888000 =
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0.888 x 104.
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8.88 x 104.
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88.8 x 104.
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888 x 104.
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8880 x 104.
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88800 x 104.
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888000 x 104.
- (2.0 x 106) x (3.0 x 108) =
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6.0 x 106.
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6.0 x 108.
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6.0 x 1010.
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6.0 x 1012.
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6.0 x 1014.
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6.0 x 1016.
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6.0 x 1032.
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6.0 x 1048.
- (2.0 x 106) x (3.0 x 10-2) =
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6.0 x 10-12 .
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6.0 x 10-4 .
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6.0 x 10-2 .
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6.0 x 102.
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6.0 x 104.
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6.0 x 106.
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6.0 x 108.
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6.0 x 1010.
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6.0 x 1012.
- (6.0 x 106) /(3.0 x 104) =
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2.0 x 10-6.
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2.0 x 10-4.
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2.0 x 10-2.
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2.0 x 100.
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2.0 x 102.
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2.0 x 104.
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2.0 x 106.
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2.0 x 108.
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2.0 x 1010.
- (2.0 x 106)/ (3.0 x 10-2) =
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6.67 x 10-8 .
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6.67 x 10-7 .
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6.67 x 10-6 .
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6.67 x 104.
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6.67 x 106.
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6.67 x 107.
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6.67 x 108.
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6.67 x 109.
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6.67 x 1010.
- (2.00000 x 106) + (3.0 x 104) =
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5.000000 x 106 .
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2.300000 x 106 .
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2.030000 x 106 .
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2.003000 x 106 .
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2.000300 x 106 .
ASTR 122 course home page
Updated 27 September 2007
Davison E. Soper, Institute of Theoretical Science,
University of Oregon, Eugene OR 97403 USA
