Understanding Scientific Notation and Exponential Functions

  • Thread starter Thread starter TMNT
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Roots Square
Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around understanding scientific notation and the proper format for entering numerical answers in an online homework system. The specific problem involves calculating the square root of a number expressed in scientific notation, 6.70 × 10^-19.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the correct way to input answers in scientific notation and express confusion over the online system's requirements. There are attempts to clarify the notation and its implications, as well as questions about the accuracy of the calculated answer.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively exploring different ways to express the answer in the online homework system. Some guidance has been offered regarding formatting, but there is no consensus on the correct answer or method to input it. The discussion reflects a mix of interpretations and suggestions.

Contextual Notes

There is mention of specific formatting requirements from the online homework system, including the need for a purely numeric answer without additional notation. Participants express frustration with the system's feedback on their inputs.

TMNT
Messages
25
Reaction score
0
i'm doing my online homework as we speak and they problem I'm on is this

Use your calculator to find the square root of 6.70 × 10^-19

and i calculated that problem in my calculated and i got

6.7e^-19 and i typed it in my homework and its giving me an error and saying
"This question expects a numeric answer"

can anyone help me?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
i guess just try to type it in as

6.70 × (10^(-19))
 
nick727kcin said:
i guess just try to type it in as

6.70 × (10^(-19))

I just tried that and it didn't work and i got this message

"Only a number required. Computer reads units of "× (10^(-19))".
 
What am I missing here? 6.7e-19 is NOT the square root of 6.7e-19.

As a side note generally when the e notation is used you do to superscript it.
 
TMNT said:
i'm doing my online homework as we speak and they problem I'm on is this

Use your calculator to find the square root of 6.70 × 10^-19

and i calculated that problem in my calculated and i got

6.7e^-19 and i typed it in my homework and its giving me an error and saying
"This question expects a numeric answer"

can anyone help me?
Well first of all, your answer is not correct. You show the same number again, just with a different exponential notation. As for getting the online parser to accept your answer, just type it exactly in the same format that it is showing you its question number in. Look at where there are spaces, and how it is showing exponential notation.
 
As berkeman said, the answer is not correct.

But I want to point out my feelings towards the notation.
esomething typically means the exponent function - that is, the base of the natural log (e ~= 2.7).

If you want to denote 10^something, use either a*10b or aEb (the latter being more of an engineer's notation).

This is just my opinion, but I think most will agree using "aeb" is deceiving.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
2K
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
4K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
Replies
13
Views
2K
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
7K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
1K