Step by step
The question
Question: write 8.9 × 10⁻² as a normal number.
8.9 × 10−2
1 Read the power
10⁻² is 1/100.
That divides by 100: the number gets smaller, so the point moves 2 places to the left.
10−2 = 1100
left 2 places
2 Move the point
There are no digits in front of it.
We write 2 zeros in front.
Zeros there do not change the number.
= 008.9
A 0 goes in front of the point.
So 8.9 × 10⁻² = 0.089.
= 0.089
Careful!
The power is not the number of zeros after the point.
It is how many places the point moves.
Careful: not 0.0089 ✗
3 Check
Let's check: divide by 100.
8.9 divided by 100 is 0.089.
It works!
8.9 ÷ 100 = 0.089
Let's look back.
First: read the power.
Then: move the point.
Last: check.
Answer
= 0.089