How Do You Convert From Decimal Notation to Scientific Notation?

'0.0000004' and '3,250,000,000' are in decimal notation
There is an invisible decimal after the last zero in '3,250,000,000'
We move the decimal until we get a number greater or equal to 1 but less than 10
Moving the decimal to the left tells you the exponent will be positive
We have an exponent of '9' in 3.25 x 10⁹ because we moved 9 units to the left
Moving the decimal to the right tells you the exponent will be negative
We have an exponent of '-7' in 4 x 10^-7 because we moved 7 units to the right

1. This is just a criteria for putting a number into scientific notation
1. We move the decimal until we get a number greater or equal to 1 but less than 10
1. Remember, a whole number is just a number that does not contain a fraction or decimal
1. There is an invisible decimal after the last zero in '3,250,000,000'
1. This will give us the number '3.25'
2. Notice that '3.25' is less than 10 and greater or equal to 1
1. Remember, a whole number is just a number that does not contain a fraction or decimal
1. This will give us the number '4.', or just '4'
2. Notice that '4' is less than 10 and greater or equal to 1
1. When converting to scientific notation, moving the decimal to the left tells you the exponent will be positive
1. Here, we're starting to write '3,250,000,000' in scientific notation
1. Since multiplying by '10' one time will add one zero to your answer, 10⁹ is a short cut to writing down 9 zeros
1. When converting to scientific notation, moving the decimal to the left tells you the exponent will be positive
1. When converting to scientific notation, moving the decimal to the right tells you the exponent will be negative
1. Remember, a whole number is just a number that does not contain a fraction or decimal
2. Notice that '4' is greater or equal to 1 but less than 10
1. When converting to scientific notation, moving the decimal to the right tells you the exponent will be negative

Convert '3,250,000,000' and '0.0000004' to scientific notation