Converting scientific notation to standard notation

Aviation Mechanic General (AMG) practice question 20 of 25 on Mathematics. ACS element AM.I.H.K8 · difficulty: standard. Want to answer it in a timed quiz? Use the Aviation Mechanic General (AMG) practice mode.

Question bank updated 2026-09-22

QUESTIONWhat is 3.68 × 10⁷ written in standard notation?

A3,680,000
B36,800,000
C368,000,000

Show the answer and explanation

Correct answer: B. 36,800,000

A — incorrect This moves the decimal point only 6 places; the exponent 7 requires 7 places.
B — correct Move the decimal point 7 places to the right: 3.68 × 10⁷ = 3.68 × 10,000,000 = 36,800,000.
C — incorrect This moves the decimal point 8 places, one too many for an exponent of 7.

BACKGROUND

To convert a number from scientific notation to standard notation, move the decimal point the number of places indicated by the exponent. A positive exponent means a large number, so the decimal point moves to the right; a negative exponent means a small number, so it moves to the left. The handbook's example is 3.68 × 10⁷ = 36,800,000, which can also be thought of as 3.68 × 10,000,000. For 7.1543 × 10⁻¹⁰, the decimal point moves 10 places to the left, giving 0.00000000071543.

STUDY TIP

Count the decimal-place moves carefully, adding zeros as needed, and let the sign of the exponent tell you the direction.

KEY POINTS

Positive exponent: move the decimal point right.
Negative exponent: move the decimal point left.
3.68 × 10⁷ = 36,800,000.

SOURCES

FAA-H-8083-30B ch03 "Converting Numbers from Scientific Notation to Standard Notation"

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