Multiplying and Dividing with Scientific Notation

To multiply two numbers in scientific notation:

1) change both numbers to standard form

2) multiply the numbers

3) write the product in scientific notation

Example 1:

(5.7 x 102)(9.9 x 101) =

(570)(99) =

56430 = 5.643 x 104

Example 2:

(8.94 x 103)(2.7 x 102) =

(8940)(270) =

2413800 = 2.4138 x 106

Example 3:

(3.21 x 104)(4.5 x 101) =

(32100)(45) =

1444500 = 1.4445 x 106

Example 4:

(4.52 x 105)(1.9 x 102) =

(452,000)(190) =

85880000 = 8.588 x 107

To divide two numbers in scientific notation:

1) change both numbers to standard form

2) divide the numbers

3) write the quotient in scientific notation

Example 5:

2.55 x 103 = 5 x 101

2550 = 50

51 = 5.1 x 101

Example 6:

3.99 x 104 = 3.8 x 102

39900 = 380

105 = 1.05 x 102

Example 7:

2.5451 x 105 =

8.21 x 102

2,54510 =

821

310 = 3.1 x 102

Example 8:

1.45071 x 106 =

1.99 x 102

1,450,710 =

199

7290 = 7.29 x 103