How do I change my answer to be displayed in scientific notation rather than standard? Thank you

Let's make an example

 

20,000

 

This number is in standard notation

 

The easy explanation is to make this number look like this: x * 10^n

 

x cannot be greater than or equal to 10. n can be any whole number, including 0.

 

Now, let's try putting 20,000 into scientific notation!

 

We must make it so that x is less than 10, let's try making x=2

 

20000=2*10^n

 

Now, what value of n will make 2*10^n = 20000?

 

Let's put in 4

 

2*10^4=20000

2*10000=20000

20000=20000

 

Since 20000=20000 is a true statement, we know that 2*10^4 is the scientific notation. 

 

( If this is confusing, n equals the amount of times you move the decimal point until you make a number less than 10. 

 

Ex. 100

 

Move the point 2 times and you end up with 1.00

 

1*10^2=100)

 

Hope this helped!