Scientific Notation Worksheets

What it is

Scientific notation writes a number as a × 10ⁿ, where the coefficient a is at least 1 and less than 10, and n counts how many places the decimal moves.

Why it matters

Scientists and engineers use scientific notation to write and compute with extreme quantities (from the size of an atom to the distance to a star) without losing track of zeros.

How to do it

1. Place the decimal so exactly one non-zero digit sits in front of it, that's the coefficient.
2. Count how many places the decimal moved: that number is the exponent.
3. Large numbers give a positive exponent; numbers less than 1 give a negative exponent.

Examples by level

Examples are generated by the same engine as the worksheets, so they're always mathematically correct. Built to avoid repeats, not reshuffle the same handful of questions.

Common mistakes

• Leaving the coefficient outside the 1–10 range (45 × 10³ instead of 4.5 × 10⁴).
• Moving the decimal the wrong direction for the exponent's sign.
• Miscounting the number of places the decimal moved.

Tips

• The coefficient must be at least 1 and less than 10.
• A negative exponent means a small number (less than 1), not a negative number.

Key vocabulary

coefficient

the number from 1 up to 10 in front of the power of ten

exponent

the power of ten, telling how many places the decimal moved

Frequently asked questions

How do you write a number in scientific notation?

Move the decimal so one non-zero digit sits in front of it, then use the number of places moved as the power of ten, positive for large numbers, negative for small.

When is the exponent negative?

When the number is less than 1 (like 0.0045) the exponent is negative, because you move the decimal to the right.