Example

Converting 8.9×1028.9 \times 10^{-2} to Decimal Form

Convert 8.9×1028.9 \times 10^{-2} to standard decimal form by applying the three-step procedure for converting scientific notation to decimal form.

  1. Determine the exponent: The exponent on 1010 is 2-2.
  2. Move the decimal point: Since the exponent is negative, shift the decimal point 22 places to the left. Starting from 8.98.9, moving the decimal two places leftward passes the 88 and requires an additional placeholder zero in front. The result is 0.0890.089.
  3. Check: 102=1100=0.0110^{-2} = \frac{1}{100} = 0.01, and 8.9×0.01=0.0898.9 \times 0.01 = 0.089 ✓.

Therefore, 8.9×102=0.0898.9 \times 10^{-2} = 0.089. This example illustrates a negative-exponent case: because the power of 1010 is negative, the decimal point moves to the left, producing a number smaller than the original coefficient.

0

1

Updated 2026-04-21

Contributors are:

Who are from:

Tags

OpenStax

Elementary Algebra @ OpenStax

Ch.6 Polynomials - Elementary Algebra @ OpenStax

Algebra

Math

Prealgebra

Related
Learn After