A positive number in standard form is A x 10n, where 1 <= A<10 and n is an integer. The coefficient records the significant digits; the power of ten records their scale. Example 7340000=7.34 x 106, and 0.0000562=5.62 x 10-5. Check by moving the decimal point back. For 1 <= x<10, the exponent is 0: 6.2=6.2 x 100. A negative number can be written with a minus sign before the standard form of its magnitude; zero is written as 0. Standard form does not itself require rounding. 7.340 x 106 records four significant figures, whereas 7.34 x 106 records three.

A positive number in standard form is \(A\times10^n\), where \(1\le A<10\) and \(n\) is an integer. The coefficient records the significant digits; the power of ten records their scale.

\(7340000=7.34\times10^6\), and \(0.0000562=5.62\times10^{-5}\). Check by moving the decimal point back.

For \(1\le x<10\), the exponent is \(0\): \(6.2=6.2\times10^0\). A negative number can be written with a minus sign before the standard form of its magnitude; zero is written as \(0\).

Standard form does not itself require rounding. \(7.340\times10^6\) records four significant figures, whereas \(7.34\times10^6\) records three.

Writing large and small numbers

Writing large and small numbers