Step by step
The question
Question: write 6 × 10⁻⁵ as a normal number.
6 × 10−5
1 Read the power
10⁻⁵ is 1/100000.
That divides by 100000: the number gets smaller, so the point moves 5 places to the left.
10−5 = 1100000
left 5 places
2 Move the point
There are no digits in front of it.
We write 5 zeros in front.
Zeros there do not change the number.
= 000006
A 0 goes in front of the point.
So 6 × 10⁻⁵ = 0.00006.
= 0.00006
Careful!
The power is not the number of zeros after the point.
It is how many places the point moves.
Careful: not 0.000006 ✗
3 Check
Let's check: divide by 100000.
6 divided by 100000 is 0.00006.
It works!
6 ÷ 100000 = 0.00006
Let's look back.
First: read the power.
Then: move the point.
Last: check.
Answer
= 0.00006