Scientific Notation on TI-83-84

Setting up Scientific Notation

            1.         Push the “MODE” key

            2.         On the first line move the cursor over “SCI”.

            3.         Push “ENTER”

            4.         Move to the second line.

            5.         From the data in the problem, determine the number of significant figures.

            6.         Set the “FLOAT” to one less than the number of significant figures. Move the cursor over the number and push “ENTER”.

            7.         Use “CLEAR” or “2^nd QUIT” to return to the home screen.

Using Scientific Notation

            1.         Enter the significant figures of the number.

            2.         Push “2^nd EE” (EE is in yellow above the comma key). Your calculator will display a small “E” vice “x10".

            3.         Enter the exponent.

            4.         Your calculator will keep track of the significant figures and make the proper adjustments.

Significant Figure Rules

            1.         All non zero digits are significant.

            2.         Zeros between non zero digits are significant.

            3.         Trailing zeros, after the decimal point, in measurements are significant.

            4.         Leading zeros are not significant. They only act as place holders.

            5.         Trailing zeros acting as place holders are not significant.