Use a calculator for scientific notation

We've already looked at using scientific notation to write really big and really small numbers. You'll notice that sometimes your calculator also gives answers in scientific notation. 

So it's really important that you understand how to read and write numbers in scientific notation on a calculator.

For example, the calculator screen to the left is displaying the number $8.98\times10^{-1}$8.98×10−1 (to $3$3 d.p.). The red circle is highlighting the scientific notation. This number is $0.898$0.898 when written as a regular decimal, without scientific notation. 

The blue circle has highlighted the EXP or "exponential" button. This is a shortcut button that you can use to write numbers in scientific notation on your calculator. 

For example, to write $1.5\times10^9$1.5×109 on the calculator, you would press, 

Let's look at some examples that you can try on your calculator!

(We just couldn't get a picture of every calculator that all the schools use so it's likely that you might use a slightly different one to the one pictured. Fortunately a lot of them use similar buttons but they might be different places.  Consult your manual, your teacher or google to find the exact buttons you might need. )

 

Examples

Question 1

 

Question 2

Question 3