In mathematics, we usually use scientific symbols to represent very large or very small numbers. In this representation, the number is divided into several parts, and each part is represented by a specific unit. For example, on the scale of one billion, we use the unit of one billion to represent one hundred million, while on the scale of one million, we use the unit of ten thousand to represent ten thousand.
When we compare two numbers, we must first determine which level they are on. If one number is on the order of one billion and the other number is on the order of one million, then the number on the order of one billion must be greater than that on the order of one million. This is because the unit of 1 million is much larger than that of 1 million.
Let's compare two figures: 65.438+0 billion and 65.438+0 billion. 1 100 million equals 100000, 1 100 million equals 100000. So 1 billion is much larger than 1 billion. Even if we choose a very large number, such as 99.99 million, it is still much smaller than 654.38+0 billion. This is because the unit of 1 million is much larger than that of 1 million. But the figure on the scale of 10,000 is not necessarily smaller than that on the scale of 100 million.
Characteristics of scientific notation:
1, simplicity: scientific notation makes it easy to represent very large or very small numbers, because it uses the power of radix (usually 10) to represent the order of magnitude of numbers.
2. Standardization: scientific notation adopts standardized form, namely A× 10 N, where a is a real number between 1 and 10 (including 1 but excluding 10), and n is an integer.
3. Accuracy: Scientific notation can accurately represent numbers, because it retains all the significant figures of numbers and defines the order of magnitude of numbers.
4. Easy to carry out mathematical operations: Scientific notation makes mathematical operations such as multiplication, division and exponential operation easier because it converts the standard form of numbers into simple forms.
5. Readability: Scientific notation makes numbers easier to read and understand, because it separates the order of magnitude of numbers from specific values.