Step by step
The question
Question: write 8 × 10⁻¹ as a normal number.
8 × 10−1
1 Read the power
10⁻¹ is 1/10.
That divides by 10: the number gets smaller, so the point moves 1 place to the left.
10−1 = 110
left 1 place
2 Move the point
There are no digits in front of it.
We write 1 zero in front.
Zeros there do not change the number.
= 08
A 0 goes in front of the point.
So 8 × 10⁻¹ = 0.8.
= 0.8
Careful!
The power is not the number of zeros after the point.
It is how many places the point moves.
Careful: not 0.08 ✗
3 Check
Let's check: divide by 10.
8 divided by 10 is 0.8.
It works!
8 ÷ 10 = 0.8
Let's look back.
First: read the power.
Then: move the point.
Last: check.
Answer
= 0.8