Question

When you convert a number from decimal notation to scientific notation, how do you know if the exponent will be positive or negative

Short answer

If the number is less than $1$and greater than$-1$ exponent will be negative and if the number is greater than$1$or less than $-1$exponent will be positive

Step-by-step solution

Given information  

Let the number be $a$

Step 2

Consider $-1<a<1$

Then exponent will be negative

Consider$a<-1,a>1$

Then exponent will be positive