Decimals
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SAT Math › Decimals
Convert the decimal into scientific notation:
Explanation
To convert a decimal into scientific notation, move the decimal point until you get to the left of the first non-zero integer. The number of places the decimal point moves is the power of the exponent, because each movement represents a "power of 10". The exponent will be positive if the original number is greater than zero, and negative if the original number is less than zero.
For this example, move the decimal point four places to the right. Since the number is less than zero, the exponent is negative:
simplify: 0.2 ÷ 0.04
5
0.005
0.05
2
0.02
Explanation
0.2 ÷ 0.04 <- easiest way to approach is to move the decimal to the right (the same amount of spaces on each side) so that the decimal disappears
since 0.04 has 2 spaces and 0.2 only has 1, move the decimal 2 spaces to the right on each side
0.2 ÷ 0.04 = 20 ÷ 4 = 5
Convert the decimal into scientific notation:
Explanation
To convert a decimal into scientific notation, move the decimal point until you get to the left of the first non-zero integer. The number of places the decimal point moves is the power of the exponent, because each movement represents a "power of 10". The exponent will be positive if the original number is greater than zero, and negative if the original number is less than zero.
For this example, move the decimal point four places to the right. Since the number is less than zero, the exponent is negative:
Round 901,527 to the nearest thousand and convert to scientific notation.
Explanation
When rounding to the nearest thousand, look to the hundreds place to determine whether you need to round up or down. You always round down when the digit is between 0 and 4, and up when it is between 5-9. Therefore, the rounded number is 902,000. When using scientific notation, the first number in the notation must be less than 10. In this case, that number is 9.
From there, the decimal goes immediately after. Then count how many places the decimal would have to be moved in order to convert back to the original number (5 places).
When the decimal is moved to the left when writing it in scientific notation, the exponent is positive. When moved to the right to write the number in scientific notation, the exponent is negative.
simplify: 0.2 ÷ 0.04
5
0.005
0.05
2
0.02
Explanation
0.2 ÷ 0.04 <- easiest way to approach is to move the decimal to the right (the same amount of spaces on each side) so that the decimal disappears
since 0.04 has 2 spaces and 0.2 only has 1, move the decimal 2 spaces to the right on each side
0.2 ÷ 0.04 = 20 ÷ 4 = 5
Order these decimals from greatest to least:
Explanation
Ordering decimals from greatest to least means we list them from the biggest number to the smallest number. When doing this, line up each of your numbers by their decimal points. We look at the tenths place first and order them according to that number. Then move on to the hundredths place and so on until each of the numbers are lined up from greatest to smallest. For this problem that would look like this:
Round 901,527 to the nearest thousand and convert to scientific notation.
Explanation
When rounding to the nearest thousand, look to the hundreds place to determine whether you need to round up or down. You always round down when the digit is between 0 and 4, and up when it is between 5-9. Therefore, the rounded number is 902,000. When using scientific notation, the first number in the notation must be less than 10. In this case, that number is 9.
From there, the decimal goes immediately after. Then count how many places the decimal would have to be moved in order to convert back to the original number (5 places).
When the decimal is moved to the left when writing it in scientific notation, the exponent is positive. When moved to the right to write the number in scientific notation, the exponent is negative.
Order these decimals from greatest to least:
Explanation
Ordering decimals from greatest to least means we list them from the biggest number to the smallest number. When doing this, line up each of your numbers by their decimal points. We look at the tenths place first and order them according to that number. Then move on to the hundredths place and so on until each of the numbers are lined up from greatest to smallest. For this problem that would look like this:
Convert the decimal into scientific notation:
Explanation
To convert a decimal into scientific notation, move the decimal point until you get to the left of the first non-zero integer. The number of places the decimal point moves is the power of the exponent, because each movement represents a "power of 10". The exponent will be positive if the original number is greater than zero, and negative if the original number is less than zero.
For this example, move the decimal point four places to the right. Since the number is less than zero, the exponent is negative:
Round 901,527 to the nearest thousand and convert to scientific notation.
Explanation
When rounding to the nearest thousand, look to the hundreds place to determine whether you need to round up or down. You always round down when the digit is between 0 and 4, and up when it is between 5-9. Therefore, the rounded number is 902,000. When using scientific notation, the first number in the notation must be less than 10. In this case, that number is 9.
From there, the decimal goes immediately after. Then count how many places the decimal would have to be moved in order to convert back to the original number (5 places).
When the decimal is moved to the left when writing it in scientific notation, the exponent is positive. When moved to the right to write the number in scientific notation, the exponent is negative.