10/27/10

Post date: Oct 27, 2010 8:49:46 PM

Bell Ringer: What is scientific notation used for? Convert the following numbers into scientific notation: a) 0.000138, b) 250,000,000, c) -0.0000058

    • Math Skills review

      • Scientific notation

        • General form is M x 10 ^ N

        • M is always a number between 1 and 10

        • N is a whole number, tells how many places to move the decimal

        • N is positive for large numbers (greater than 1), and is negative for small numbers (smaller than 1)

      • Factor-label method for changing units

        • multiplying measurements by fractions where top and bottom of fraction have equal values, but in different units

        • Cancel out units to get units that you want

        • See "Factor-label method" handout for details

      • Graphing

        • Plotting points on a graph

        • Fitting a line to your points

        • Calculating the slope of a line