LESSON: Operations with Exponential Numbers
Adding and Subtracting with Scientific Notation
Multiplying and Dividing with Scientific Notation
Example Problem
Operations with Exponential Numbers
In order to add or subtract exponential numbers, the exponents must be the same. If the exponents are not the same, one of the numbers must be changed so that the exponents are the same. Once the exponents are the same, the numbers are added and the same exponents are carried.
Example: Add 5.0 × 105 and 4.0 × 104.
Solution: In order to add these numbers, we can change 4.0 × 104 to 0.40 × 105 and then add 0.40 × 105 to 5.0 × 105 which yields 5.4 × 105.
When you multiply exponential numbers, the numbers multiply and the exponents add.
Example: Multiply 5.0 × 105 and 4.0 × 104.
Solution:
Example: Multiply 6.0 × 103 and 2.0 × 10-5.
Solution:
When you divide exponential numbers, the numbers are divided and the exponent of the divisor is subtracted from the exponent of the dividend.
Example: Divide 6.0 × 103 by 2.0 × 10-5.
Solution:
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