Scientific notation is a concise way of expressing very large or very small numbers, making them more manageable and easier to work with. In this article, we’ll explore the process of converting the decimal number 0.00125 into scientific notation.
0.00125 in scientific notation is 1.25×10−3
Step-by-Step Conversion
Step 1: Identify the Decimal Place
For 0.00125, the first non-zero digit is 1, and the decimal point is after the 5. This is our starting point.
Step 2: Rewrite the Number as a Decimal Between 1 and 10
Move the decimal point to the right of the first non-zero digit, creating a decimal between 1 and 10. In our example, this results in 1.25.
Step 3: Determine the Exponent
Count the number of decimal places you moved the decimal point. If you moved it to the left, the exponent is positive; if you moved it to the right, the exponent is negative. In our case, we moved the decimal point three places to the right, so the exponent is −3.
Step 4: Write in Scientific Notation
Combine the decimal from Step 2 and the exponent from Step 3 to express the number in scientific notation. For 0.00125, the result is 1.25×10−3.
Quick Tips for Converting to Scientific Notation
- Identify the Non-Zero Digits: Focus on the first non-zero digit in the number.
- Move the Decimal Point: Place the decimal point after the first non-zero digit, creating a decimal between 1 and 10.
- Count Decimal Places: Determine how many places you moved the decimal point. This indicates the exponent’s magnitude.
- Positive or Negative Exponent: If you moved the decimal to the left, the exponent is positive; if to the right, the exponent is negative.
- Combine Decimal and Exponent: Write the number in the form a × 10n, where a is the decimal and n is the exponent.