write 0.004473 in scientific notation.

We always use decimal notation to write out numbers. Whether it be as small as 1 or as big as 100, we use numbers for our everyday lives. But what happens if a number gets to small like 0.00000000001 or as big as 10000000000? We use what is called scientific notation to trim these big boys down.

Scientific notation is usually written in the form of m * 10^n, where 1 ≤ m < 10.

To help us is our friend 10, who also helps the metric system in a similar way. Like how the metric system is ruled by 10s, scientific notation is as well.

For instance, if you want to convert 100 into scientific notation, first find the decimal point.

100.

Then, move the decimal until the number m is between 1 and 10.

1.00

But you can't just turn 100 into 1! You need to specify how many times you added or removed a times 10. Since you moved the decimal place two times back, that means that you divided 100 by 10 twice, or 10^2.

This means that the scienfic notation for 100 is 1.00 * 10^2.

Now let's try the question: 0.004473.

Instead of going backwards, you have to go forwards and make the number m smaller. Again you find the decimal point and move it until the number is between 1 and 10.

4.473

Since we moved the decimal place two times forward, that means that you multiplied 0.004473 by 10 thrice, or 10^3. But instead of the exponent being positive, we have to make it negative to account for the number being really small.

4.473 * 10^-3