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Procedure for Converting from Scientific Notation to Decimal Form

To convert a number written in scientific notation back into standard decimal form, follow a three-step procedure:

  1. Determine the exponent, nn, on the factor 1010. Identify the integer power of 1010 in the expression aimes10na imes 10^n.
  2. Move the decimal point nn places, adding zeros if needed.
  • If the exponent is positive, shift the decimal point nn places to the right. This produces a number greater than 11.
  • If the exponent is negative, shift the decimal point n|n| places to the left. This produces a number between 00 and 11.
  1. Check that the result makes sense.

For example, 9.12imes1049.12 imes 10^4 has a positive exponent of 44, so the decimal point moves 44 places to the right, giving 91,20091{,}200. In contrast, 9.12imes1049.12 imes 10^{-4} has a negative exponent of 4-4, so the decimal point moves 4=4|-4| = 4 places to the left, giving 0.0009120.000912. In both cases, the number of places the decimal moves equals the absolute value of the exponent—only the direction changes.

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Updated 2026-04-29

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