Operations in Scientific Notation

Addition To add numbers in scientific notation:

1) Add the constants2) Keep the exponent the same

Example: (2.1 x 105) + (3.2 x 105)

= (2.1 + 3.2) x 105

= 5.3 x 105

Subtraction To subtract numbers in scientific notation:

1) Subtract the constants2) Keep the exponents the same.

Example:(7.9 x 108) – (6.8 x 108)= (7.9 – 6.8) x 108

= 1.1 x 108

Multiplication To Multiply numbers in scientific notation:

1) Multiply the constants2) Add the exponents

Example:(5.1 x 103) ( 2.0 x 10 5)= (5.1 x 2.0) (103 x 105)= 10.2 x 108

= 1.02 x 108+1

= 1.02 x 109

Division To divide numbers in scientific notation:

1) Divide the constants2) Subtract the exponents

Example:6.2 x 1012 = 6.2 x 1012 = 3.0

x 1010

2.0 x 102 2.0 102