this value -1.1576e-005 is small or big? [edited]

pari_alf · 2015-10-06 16:52:46

Hi guys,

Please help me to understand that how to identify this value is too big or too small.
I always misunderstand it .

-1.1576e-005

4e-008

thanks

Last edited by pari_alf (2015-10-06 18:02:46)

bobbym · 2015-10-06 17:51:37

Hi;

That is scientific notation:

-1.1576e-005 = -.000011576

4e-008 = .00000004

pari_alf · 2015-10-06 18:00:16

I want to understand how to say that this value is too large or too small.

bobbym wrote:

Hi;
That is scientific notation:
-1.1576e-005 = -.000011576
4e-008 = .00000004

Bob · 2015-10-06 18:50:03

hi pari_alf

Have a look here:

http://www.mathsisfun.com/numbers/scien … ation.html

Bob

bobbym · 2015-10-06 19:02:56

I want to understand how to say that this value is too large or too small.

You edited the question after I answered it.

pari_alf · 2015-10-06 19:19:28

yes i edited because i understood after your reply that what i need to understand,. sorry to do it.

bobbym wrote:

I want to understand how to say that this value is too large or too small.
You edited the question after I answered it.

pari_alf · 2015-10-06 19:29:08

Hi Bob,

Thanks for directing me to scientific notation explanation.

if i understand correctly than

-1.1576e-005 = -1.1576 x 10^005 [i think 005 mean -5]
so it will be -1.1576 x 10^-5 => 0.00011576 (i think it is a big value)

and

4e-008 = 4 x 10^008 [i think 008 mean -8]
so it will be -4 x 10^-8 => -0.000000004 (i think it is small value)

Am i right?

bob bundy wrote:

hi pari_alf
Have a look here:
http://www.mathsisfun.com/numbers/scien … ation.html
Bob

Last edited by pari_alf (2015-10-06 19:37:02)

bobbym · 2015-10-06 20:10:36

Hi;

4 x 10^(-8) means 4 x 1/10^8 or for convenience move the decimal point 8 places to the left, The answer is .00000004. There is no sign change.

Whether to say that is a small number or not depends on how you define the words large and small.

Bob · 2015-10-07 19:35:45

hi pari_alf

-1.1576e-005 = -1.1576 x 10^005 [i think 005 mean -5] correct

so it will be -1.1576 x 10^-5 => 0.00011576 (i think it is a big value)

Two things wrong here. The first minus means the number is negative. And the decimal point is misplaced.

The way I get the decimal point right is by moving it 5 places left.

and

4e-008 = 4 x 10^008 [i think 008 mean -8]correct

so it will be -4 x 10^-8 => -0.000000004 (i think it is small value)

again two errors I afraid.

A leading minus makes the number negative. This time there is no leading minus so the number is positive.

The -8 on the power of ten means move the point 8 places left.

If you go back to that link again you will find a 'Try It Yourself' section a little way down the page. You can test whether you have done the conversion correctly by entering numbers in the boxes.

I agree with bobbym about whether a number is large or small. If bacteria could talk they would say that the thickness of a human hair is large. If you wanted to say which of the two numbers you gave was smaller then you still need to think a little as one number is negative. If, by smaller, you mean further to the left on the number line, then -0.000011576 is smaller. But, if you ignore negative signs and just consider which has the smaller absolute value then 0.00000004 is smaller.

Bob

Math Is Fun Forum

#1 2015-10-06 16:52:46

this value -1.1576e-005 is small or big? [edited]

#2 2015-10-06 17:51:37

Re: this value -1.1576e-005 is small or big? [edited]

#3 2015-10-06 18:00:16

Re: this value -1.1576e-005 is small or big? [edited]

#4 2015-10-06 18:50:03

Re: this value -1.1576e-005 is small or big? [edited]

#5 2015-10-06 19:02:56

Re: this value -1.1576e-005 is small or big? [edited]

#6 2015-10-06 19:19:28

Re: this value -1.1576e-005 is small or big? [edited]

#7 2015-10-06 19:29:08

Re: this value -1.1576e-005 is small or big? [edited]

#8 2015-10-06 20:10:36

Re: this value -1.1576e-005 is small or big? [edited]

#9 2015-10-07 19:35:45

Re: this value -1.1576e-005 is small or big? [edited]

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