Rounding Off and Scientific

Notation

By studying this chapter you will be able to achieve the following competencies.
Comprehending easy methods of writing and reading numbers.
Writing in scientific notation, a number given in general form.
Expressing in general form, numbers given in scientific notation.
Rounding off a number to a given power of ten.
Rounding off decimals.

A picture oI a scene Irom Sinharaja Iorest which

is a World Heritage is seen here.
The area oI 'Sinharaja' is expressed there as
3
9.3 10 ha.
The average land area oI Sinharaja Iorest is
9 300 hectares. We know that the number
9 300 can be written as
3 3
9.3 1000 is 9.3 10 .When this land area is written in the Iorm 9.3 10 it is
very easy to indicate this number, as shown below.
Expressing a number as a product oI 1 or a number
between 1 and 10 and a power oI 10, is known as
denoting a number in scientiIic notation.
n
This notation can be generaly expressed as P 10 ,
n Z
Here 1 10
930 10
or 93 100
or 9.3 1000
3
Sinharaja Forest Area 9.3 1 ha
3
9.3 10

Number between
one and ten
The power oI 10
Mass oI the earth is
approximately
24
6.0 10 kg
1.1 Scientific Notation
For Free Distribution 1
Example 1 Example 2
Write 725 000 in scientiIic notation
725 000 7.25 100 000
5
7.25 10
Write 25.3 in scientiIic notation
25.3 2.53 10

2.53 10
Exercise 1.1
(1) Complete the table given below expressing in scientiIic notation the numbers
written in general Iorm in the Iirst column.
(vii) 7854.63 ---------- ----------
(2) Write the numbers given below in scientiIic notation.
(i) 6 000 (ii) 72 000 (iii) 12 500 (iv) 33 300 (v) 275000
(vi) 549.28 (vii) 10 000 (viii) 21 (ix) 111 (x) 3 333
(3) Write the number six hundred thousand in (i)general Iorm (ii) scientiIic notation
(4) The land area oI Sri Lanka is about 65 610 square kilometres. Write this number
in scientiIic notation.
(5) II 12 kg oI rice is needed Ior a pupil Ior monthly consumption, Iind the quantity
oI rice needed Ior a hostel with 200 pupils, Ior one month. Write this number in
scientiIic notation.
(6) Sri lanka produces 810 000 kg oI tea per day Ior export. Write this number in
scientiIic notation.
Can you express the number 1.235 in scientiIic notation?
Number in
general Iorm
As a product oI 1or a
number between1
and10, and a number
that can be writen as
a product oI ten
Number in scientiIic
notation
(vii) 7854.63 ---------- ----------
general Iorm
number between1
and10, and a number
that can be writen as
a product pr
oduct
oI ten
notation
2 For Free Distribution
Accordingly, when the number 9 300 is indicated in scientiIic notation it is
3
written as 9.3 10
1.2 Writing a number less than 1 in scientific notation
Observe how the Iollowing numbers are written as powers oI ten
3
1000 10
2
100 10
1
10 10
0
1 10
1
10
2
10
0.1
1
10
1
100
0.01
Accordingly, decimal numbers have
negative indices. Also according to the
pattern oI powers oI ten
-1 -2
0.1 10 , 0.01 10
Example 3
Example 4
Example 5
Express 0.5 in scientiIic notation Express 0.72 in scientiIic notation

Write 0.05 in scientiIic notation
1. Denote the decimal numbers in the Iirst column in scientiIic notation and
complete the table given below.

2. Write in scientiIic notation
(i) 0.9 (ii) 0.08 (iii) 0.05 (iv) 0.032 (v) 0.00021
Decimal
number in
general Iorm
Decimal number in scientiIic
notation
(i) 0.3 3.0
(ii) 0.7 ----- -------- ------------
(iii) 0.27 ------------
(iv) 0.35 ----- ------- ------------
(vi) 0.04 --------------- ------------
(v) 0.02 ------------
3
10
1
1
10
3
27
100
1
1
10
2.7
2
100
1
2
10
2.0
Exercise 1.2
As a product oI 1 or a
number between 1
and 10, and a number
which is a power oI 10
3 For Free Distribution
Example 6
Example 8
Example 7
3
Write in general Iorm 1.2 10 .
3
1.2 10
1.2 1000
1200.0
1200
5
Write 3.05 10 in general Iorm
5
3.05 10
3.05 100 000
305 000.00
305 000
-2
Write 2.0 10 in general Iorm
-2
2.0 10
2.0
0.02
1
100
2
100
Exercise 1.3
Write in general Iorm
2 4 3
(i) 2.0 10 (ii) 7.0 10 (iii) 5.2 10
4 5 3
(iv) 7.5 10 (v) 8.3 10 (vi)7.25 10
2
(vii) 8.321 10
3
The diameter oI Mercury, the planet which is closest to the sun is 5 10 km.
Write this in general Iorm.
-1
Write 5.2 10 in general Iorm.
3 4
Find the larger number out oI the two numbers 7.25 10 and 2.7 10 . Give
reasons Ior your answer.
Activity 1
ReIer some books and collect inIormation connected with numbers
written in scientiIic notation. Select 5 oI them and write them in general
Iorm.
1.3 Writing in general form numbers given in scientific notation
A light year is the distance light travels in one year.
12
A light year 9.5 10 km
9500 000 000 000
When converting a number written in scientiIic notation to a number in general
Iorm, the number 1 or the number between 1 and 10 is multiplied by the
corresponding power oI 10.
4 For Free Distribution
Example 9
2
Write 5.342 10 in general Iorm
2
5.342 10
5.342 100
534.2
A part oI a dialogue between a mother and a child who was preparing to go on an
educational tour Irom Kurunegala to Colombo, is given below.
Here the numerical values 200 kilometres and Rs 300 are approximate values
and not exact values. Since the distance Irom Kurunegala to Colombo up and
down is 93 km 93 km 186 km the distance she expressed is approximately
justiIiable. The expenses Rs 300 may also be approximately justiIiable.
The numerical values that we express during conversations in day to day liIe are
mostly such approximate values.
When selecting an approximate value Ior a number, communication will be easy
iI such a value is a multiple oI 10.
Expressing a number as an approximate value according to a rule is
called rounding off.
Examine the table given below which shows the rounding oII oI a Iew numbers.
Here attention is paid to the digit in the units place oI the number, whether it is 5,
greater than 5 or less than 5.
1.4 Rounding off numbers
1.5 Rounding off numbers to the nearest 10
Mofher, whof is fhe disfonce we
hove fo cover, up ond down during
our educofionoI four7 How much
wiII be fhe expenses7
The disfonce up ond down of
fhe four wiII be oImosf Z00
kiIomefres. Son fhe expenses
wiII oIso be obouf Ps. 300
5 For Free Distribution
Number
Multiple
oI 10
less than
the
number
Multiple oI
10 greater
than the
number
Value aIter
r oundi ng
oII
Reason Ior rounding
oII
24 20 30
20
76 70 80
80
195 190 200
200
3152 3150 3160
3150
Rounding oII to the multiple oI 10
less than the number, as the digit
in the units place oI 24 is 4 which
is less than 5.
Rounding oII to the multiple oI 10
greater than the number, as the
digit in the units place oI 76 is 6
which is greater than 5.
Rounding oII to the multiple oI
10 greater than the number as the
digit in the units place is 5.
Rounding oII to the multiple oI
10 less than the number as the
digit in the units place is 2 which
and is less than 5.
Accordingly, rounding oII will be done as Iollows;
(i) 24 20 76 80
(iii) 195 200 (iv) 3152 3150
(i) Examining whether the digit in the unit place is 5, less than or greater than 5.
(ii) IdentiIying the nearest multiple oI 10 less than or greater than the relevant number.
(iii) Rounding oII the number to the multiple oI 10 greater than the number iI the digit
in the unit place is 5 or greater than 5; to the multiple oI 10 less than the number iI
the digit in the unit place is less than 5.
(ii)
Steps of rounding off a number to the nearest 10
(1) Round oII to the nearest 10.
(i) 28 (ii) 73 (iii) 61 (iv) 99 (v) 8
(2) Round oII to the nearest 10.
(i) 127 (ii) 355 (iii) 805 (iv) 4 003 (v) 5 008
Exercise 1.4
6 For Free Distribution
( )
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
(3) The height oI Adam's Peak is 2243 m. Round oII this to the nearest 10 metres.
(4) The length oI Malwathu Oya is 164 km. Round oII this to the nearest 10
Kilometres.
(5) The amount oI money spent Ior buying vegetables Irom a market is Rs 347.
Round oII this expenditure to the nearest Rs 10.
1.6 Rounding off numbers to the nearest 100
When rounding oII a number to the nearest 100, the digit in the tens place is
considered, whether it is 5, greater than 5 or less than 5.
Examine the table given below.
Accordingly, rounding oII will be done as Iollows.
182 200 , 552 600 , 1239 1200
When rounding oII a number to the nearest 1000 we examine whether the digit
in the hundred's place is 5, greater than 5 or less than 5.
1.7 Rounding off numbers to the nearest 1000
Number
Nearest
Multiple oI
100 less
than the
number
Nearest
Multiple oI
100 greater
than the
number
Value
aIter
rounding
oII
Reason Ior rounding oII
182 100 200 200
552 500 600 600
1239 1200 1300 1200
Rounding oII to the multiple oI
100 greater than the number as the
digit in the tens place is 8
Rounding oII to the multiple oI
100 greater than the number as the
digit in the tens place is 5
Rounding oII to the multiple oI
100 less than the number as the
digit in the tens place is 3
7 For Free Distribution
Example 9
Example 11
Number
Value aIter
rounding oII
Reason
(i) 2439 2000
(ii) 7621 8000
(iii) 12300 12000
As the digit in the hundred's place is 4 it is
rounded oII to the lower multiple oI 1000
As the digit in the hundred's place is 6 it is
rounded oII to the upper multiple oI 1000
As the digit in the hundred's place is 3 it is
rounded oII to the lower multiple oI 1000
Activity 2
Round oII 7358
(i) to the nearest 10,
(ii) to the nearest 100.
(iii) to the nearest 1000.
7358 7360 (to the nearest 10)
7358 7400 (to the nearest 100)
7358 7000 (to the nearest 1000)
(1) Round oII the Iollowing numbers to the nearest 100
(i) 97 (ii) 132 (iii) 1 750 (iv) 5 280 (v) 2 999
(2) Round oII to the nearest 1000
(i) 1 999 (ii) 5 280 (iii) 7 199 (iv) 6 666 (v) 1 5 520
(3) Round oII 1 827 (i) to the nearest 10
(ii) to the nearest 100
(4) Round oII 37 295 (i) to the nearest 10
(ii) to the nearest 100
(iii) to the nearest 1 000
(5) The distance Irom Colombo to JaIIna is 396 km. Round oII this to the nearest
100 kilometres.
(6) The distance Irom Anuradapura to Yala is 401km. Round oII this to the nearest
100 kilometres.
(7) The land area oI Udawalawa sanctuary is 30 821 ha. Round oII this to the
nearest 1000 ha.
II a number when rounded
oII to the nearest 10, 100,
and 1000 is 10 000, write
the set oI numbers to which
it belongs.
Exercise 1.5
8 For Free Distribution
Let us round oII the numbers 2.3, 2.5, 2.8 to the nearest whole number.
Examine the position oI these numbers on a number line.
Round oII 5.37 to one decimal place
5.4
Round oII 4.351 to 2 decimal places.
4.35
Round oII 2.537
(i) to one decimal place
(ii) to two decimal places
(iii) to the nearest whole number
(I) 2.537 (to one decimal place)

1.8 Rounding off decimal numbers to the nearest whole number
1.9 Rounding off a decimal number to a directed decimal place
Example 12
Example 12
Example 13
As the digit in the second decimal place is 7
which is greater than 5,1 is added to the Iirst
decimal place
As the digit in the third decimal place is less
than 5, it is neglected. 1 is not added
-1
0 1 2 3
2.3 2.5 2.8
2.3
2.5
2.8
The nearest whole number is 2
The position is halI way between
2 and 3 (Will be rounded oII to the
upper whole number because oI 5)
The nearest whole number is 3
2
3
3
Number Position
The nearest whole number
to which it is rounded oII
9 For Free Distribution

5.37

4.351
2.5
(ii) 2.537
2.54 (to 2 decimal places)
(iii) 2.537
3 (to the nearest whole number)
Exercise 1.6
(1) Round oII 3.76 (i) to the nearest whole number
(ii) to one decimal place
(2) Perera's weight is 62.8 kg. Round oII this weight to the nearest kilogram.
(3) Round oII Rs 7.85 to the nearest Rupee.
(4) A mile is equal to 1.609 kilometres. Round oII this to one decimal place.
(5) II it is given that 3.14159, round oII the value oI
(i) to 2 decimal places
(ii) to 3 decimal places
(6) Usain Bolt oI Jamaica has completed the 100 m Ilat race event oI Olympic
Games, which is considered as the Iastest race in the world in 9.64 seconds.
Round oII this time to one decimal place.
(7) The longest tunnel in the world which is 53.85km long is situated between
the islands, Honstu and Hokindo. Write giving reasons methods oI
expressing the length oI the tunnel to a Iriend.
10 For Free Distribution