How do you know when to divide or multiply in a scientific notation problem?

Question

I know it depends on what the problem is asking but i don't get how to do them... Any suggestions?

**scientific notation word problems

I meant Scientific Notation Word Problems.

Answer 1

Example 1
2 x 10³ x 6 x 10²
(2 x 6) x 10³ x 10^5
12 x 10^8

Example 2
(16 x 10^8) ÷ (4 x 10³)
4 x 10^5

Hope these examples may help.

Answer 2

scientific notation is a shortcut for large number: 1,000,000,000 can be written as 1 x 10^9, for instance. so the operations with this kind of notation are based on the rules used for raising to power.

if you need to convert between "classical" notation to scientific notation and vice-versa, you have to multiply the coefficient (i.e. the number before the x) with 10 to the power of the exponent. if the exponent is a negative number, 10 to that power will become a decimal (10^ -3 is 0.001) thus you actuall divide the coefficient.

what do you exactly mean with "divide or multiply"?