Step by step
The question
Question: write 3.2 × 10⁻⁴ as a normal number.
3.2 × 10−4
1 Read the power
10⁻⁴ is 1/10000.
That divides by 10000: the number gets smaller, so the point moves 4 places to the left.
10−4 = 110000
left 4 places
2 Move the point
There are no digits in front of it.
We write 4 zeros in front.
Zeros there do not change the number.
= 00003.2
A 0 goes in front of the point.
So 3.2 × 10⁻⁴ = 0.00032.
= 0.00032
Careful!
The power is not the number of zeros after the point.
It is how many places the point moves.
Careful: not 0.000032 ✗
3 Check
Let's check: divide by 10000.
3.2 divided by 10000 is 0.00032.
It works!
3.2 ÷ 10000 = 0.00032
Let's look back.
First: read the power.
Then: move the point.
Last: check.
Answer
= 0.00032