Step by step
The question
Question: write 1.2 × 10⁻⁷ as a normal number.
1.2 × 10−7
1 Read the power
10⁻⁷ is 1/10000000.
That divides by 10000000: the number gets smaller, so the point moves 7 places to the left.
10−7 = 110000000
left 7 places
2 Move the point
There are no digits in front of it.
We write 7 zeros in front.
Zeros there do not change the number.
= 00000001.2
A 0 goes in front of the point.
So 1.2 × 10⁻⁷ = 0.00000012.
= 0.00000012
Careful!
The power is not the number of zeros after the point.
It is how many places the point moves.
Careful: not 0.000000012 ✗
3 Check
Let's check: divide by 10000000.
1.2 divided by 10000000 is 0.00000012.
It works!
1.2 ÷ 10000000 = 0.00000012
Let's look back.
First: read the power.
Then: move the point.
Last: check.
Answer
= 0.00000012