Question

Very small numbers are often written in exponential form using scientific notation to make them easier to multiply or divide. Explain how to apply the laws of exponents when multiplying and dividing numbers written in scientific notation.

*Hint: What “laws of exponents” have we learned to help multiply and divide exponents?

Answer 1

The laws of exponents that are often used in calculating values written in scientific notation are


`a^m*a^n = a^(m+n)`, and

`(a^m)/(a^n)= a^(m-n)`

for example;

`10^6*10^(-7)=10^((6+-7))=10^(-1)`

`(10^(-8))/(10^(-9))=10^((-8--9))=10^1`