Scientific Notation & Significant Figures

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Scientific Notation & Significant Figures Scientific notation expresses a number as: A × 10ⁿ For a positive number in standard scientific notation: 1 ≤ A < 10 There is one non-zero digit before the decimal point. Examples: 5900 = 5.9 × 10³ 149,500,000,000 = 1.495 × 10¹¹ 0.0004 = 4 × 10⁻⁴ Writing 4.0 × 10⁻⁴ specifies 2 significant figures. The number of significant figures is determined by the digits in A. EXAMPLE 1: 8680 Using the precision intended in the presentation: 8680 = 8.68 × 10³ The coefficient 8.68 has 3 significant figures. EXAMPLE 2: 0.0092 0.0092 = 9.2 × 10⁻³ The coefficient 9.2 has 2 significant figures. EXAMPLE 3: 35.89 35.89 = 3.589 × 10¹ The coefficient 3.589 has 4 significant figures. EXAMPLE 4: 1100 Using the precision intended in the presentation: 1100 = 1.1 × 10³ The coefficient 1.1 has 2 significant figures. EXAMPLE 5: 1100. 1100. = 1.100 × 10³ The coefficient 1.100 has 4 significant figures. Scientific notation makes the significance of trailing zeros clear.