How can I get an answer of a multiplication problem using exponents?

Answer 1

Step I: Multiply the mantissae (significands) together, ignoring the exponents.

Step II: If the answer from Step I is less than 10, then this result is the mantissa of the final answer. Otherwise divide the result by 10 and that become the mantissa of he final answer.

Step III: Add together the powers (exponents) of ten.

Step IV: If the answer from Step I was less than 10, then the result from Step III is the power of the final answer. Otherwise the exponent for the answer is 1 more than the result from Step III.

Step V: Combine the mantissa and power from Steps II and IV.

Example:

3.6*104 * 4.7*10-2

Step I: 3.6 * 4.7 = 16.92

Step II: Mantissa of answer = 1.692 and need to add 1 to exponent.

Step III: 4 + (-2) = 2

Step IV: As per Step II, the exponent is increased to 3

Step V: Answer = 1.692*103