Standard Form of Numbers, Fractions, and Decimals

An introduction to Standard Form of Numbers, Fractions, and Decimals: Explained with Examples

In mathematics, a standard form is a way of representing numbers, fractions, and decimals in a standard format that is easy to read and write. It has wide uses in science and engineering for various purposes.

In this article, we will explain the standard form of numbers, fractions, and decimals with steps and solved examples.

What is the standard form of numbers?

In number theory, a standard way to write numbers in a single digit before the decimal point along with the exponent of 10 is said to be the standard form of numbers. The digit before the decimal point could be 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9.

For example, the number 345670000 can be written in the standard form as 3.4567 x 108. The way of representing a very larger number or very small number in standard notation is said to be the standard form of a number.

Steps to write numbers in standard form

Here are a few steps to write numbers in standard form.

Examples of writing numbers in standard form

Here are a few examples to write the number in standard form .

Example 1

Convert 65700000 in the standard form.

Solution

Step 1: Write the decimal point after the first significant digit.

First significant digit = 6

6.5700000

Step 2: Now count the digits after the decimal point and write it in the power of 10.

6.5700000 x 10⁷

Step 3: Ignore the zeros after the decimal point.

6.57x 10⁷

Hence, 6.57x 10⁷ is the standard notation of 65700000

Example 2

Convert 0. 0000000347 in the standard form.

Solution

Step 1: Write the decimal point after the first significant digit.

First significant digit = 3

000000003.47

Step 2: Now count the digits before the decimal point and write it in the power of 10 with a negative sign.

000000003.47 x 10^-8

Step 3: Ignore the zeros before the decimal point.

3.47 x 10^-8

Hence, 3.47 x 10^-8 is the standard notation of 000000003.47

What is the standard form of fractions?

In algebra, a way of writing fractions in a standard notation by converting them into decimals is said to be the standard form of fractions.

The digits before the decimal could be any significant digit. The standard form of fractions can also be written as the fraction is divided with a suitable integer to the numerator and denominator to make them co-prime.

For example, 4/6 can be written in standard form as 2/3. Alternatively, the 4/6 in decimal is 0.667 and its standard form is 6.67 x 10^-1.

Steps to write fractions in standard form

Here are a few steps to write fractions in standard form.

Case 1

Case 2:

Examples of writing fractions in standard form

Here are a few examples of writing fractions in standard notation.

Example 1

Convert 124/76 in the standard form.

Solution

Step 1: Convert the fraction into a decimal number by dividing the numerator by the denominator.

124/76 = 1.6316

Step 2: Now write the given result and multiply it with the power of 10.

1.6316 x 10⁰

Hence, 1.6316 x 100 is the standard notation of 124/76

Example 2

Convert 224/76 in the standard form.

Solution

Step 1: Divide the numerator and denominator of the given fraction by 2

224 ÷ 2 /76 ÷ 2

= 112/38

Step 2: The numerator and denominator are still not co-prime, divide them by 2 again.

112 ÷ 2 /38 ÷ 2

= 56/19

Hence, 56/19 are co-prime so it is the standard notation of 224/76

What is the standard form of decimals?

In mathematics, the way of representing the decimal number after the first significant digit to any decimal number is said to be the standard form of decimals. There are two possible ways to write any decimal number in the standard notation.

• If the decimal point moves from left to right, then the power of 10 will be negative.
• If the decimal point moves from right to left, then the power of 10 will be positive.

Steps to write fractions in standard form

Here are a few steps to write a decimal in standard form.

Case 1:Decimal point move from right to left

Case 2:Decimal point move from left to right

Examples of writing decimal numbers in standard form

Here are a few examples of writing decimal numbers in standard notation.

Example 1

Convert 12345.56 in the standard form.

Solution

Step 1: First of all, Change the decimal point from right to left after the first significant digit.

First significant digit = 1

1.234556

Step 2: Now Count the number of digits between the significant digit and the original decimal place. Then write counted digit of the above number in the power of 10 with a positive sign.

Counted digits = 4

1.234556 x 10⁴

Hence, 1.234556 x 104 is the standard notation of 12345.56

Example 2

Convert 0.000012 in the standard form.

Solution

Step 1: First of all, Change the decimal point from left to right after the first significant digit.

First significant digit = 1

000001.2

Step 2: Now Count the number of digits between the significant digit and the original decimal place. Then write counted digit of the above number in the power of 10 with a negative sign.

Counted digits = 5

000001.2 x 10^-5

Step 3: Ignore the zeros before the decimal point.

1.2 x 10^-5

Hence, 1.2 x 10^-5 is the standard notation of 0.000012

Table of writing numbers fractions, and decimals in standard form

Below is a table of writing numbers fractions, and decimals in standard form

Conclusion

In mathematics, the standard form of numbers, fractions, and decimals provides a uniform and standardized way of expressing them. Following the above steps and examples will help you write them correctly in standard form.