Scientific notation is most often used to express very large or very small numbers.
A number in scientific notation is written in the form
a × 10n
where 1 < a < 10, and n is an integer.
First, move the decimal point 6 places to the left so that the number is greater than or equal to 1 and less than 10.
1,200,000 → 1.2
Since the decimal point was moved 6 places to the left, multiply by 10
6 to keep the value of the number the same.
1,200,000 = 1.2 × 106
Since 10 is raised to a power of -4, move the decimal point 4 places to the left.
1.2 × 10-4 = 0.00012