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Scientific Notation definitions

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  • Scientific Notation
    A method for expressing very large or small numbers using a coefficient, a base of 10, and an exponent.
  • Coefficient
    A value between 1 and 10 that represents the significant digits in a scientific notation expression.
  • Base
    A constant value of 10 used as the foundation for expressing numbers in scientific notation.
  • Exponent
    A whole number indicating how many places the decimal point is moved to convert between notations.
  • Standard Notation
    The conventional way of writing numbers without exponents or powers of ten.
  • Decimal Point
    A symbol used to separate the whole number part from the fractional part in a number.
  • Positive Exponent
    A value that increases the coefficient by moving the decimal point to the right in scientific notation.
  • Negative Exponent
    A value that decreases the coefficient by moving the decimal point to the left in scientific notation.
  • Whole Number
    A non-fractional, non-decimal integer required for the exponent in scientific notation.
  • Power
    Another term for exponent, indicating the number of times the base is multiplied by itself.
  • Significant Figures
    Digits in a number that contribute to its precision, which help simplify scientific notation.
  • Conversion
    The process of changing a number between scientific and standard notation by adjusting the decimal point and exponent.
  • Integer
    A whole number, positive or negative, used as the exponent in scientific notation.