1017 is less likely to suffer from a typo than 100000000000000000, also there's a big saving on space and ink!
about 13.7 Billion years
Since the numbers astronomers use are often very large or very small, they frequently use scientific notation to describe sizes and sentences in the universe.
Some numbers are so huge (like the mass of the sun=1.98892 × 1030 kilograms) that writing a number with thirty or so digits is difficult to manage. There are some numbers so small that we have the same problem (the mass of an electron is 9.10938188 × 10-31 kilograms). Scientific notation is actually clearer and simpler to write in these two cases.Scientific notation is important IF you are going to understand some things in the universe. Some authors use Scientific notation to discuss the topics they are writing about. You will not understand what those authors are talking about without understanding Scientific notation.
Scientific notation is a way to represent very large or very small numbers. Developments in science allow us to investigate the universe as well as the microcosm: both these involve very large and/or small numbers. Furthermore, outside of scientific there are numbers such as population counts, the value of international trade, the US budget deficit, China's currency surplus whose use is considerably simplified by using scientific notation.
Rene Descartes in 1637. Archimedes created a similar system. <Original Answer> Archimedes. his exponential counting system created to help him calculate the amount of sand needed to fill the universe [in the Sand Reckoner]
In 'light years' or in 'scientific notation'
It is H2O. The notation for water is the same wherever in the universe it is.
about 13.7 Billion years
Since the numbers astronomers use are often very large or very small, they frequently use scientific notation to describe sizes and sentences in the universe.
Some numbers are so huge (like the mass of the sun=1.98892 × 1030 kilograms) that writing a number with thirty or so digits is difficult to manage. There are some numbers so small that we have the same problem (the mass of an electron is 9.10938188 × 10-31 kilograms). Scientific notation is actually clearer and simpler to write in these two cases.Scientific notation is important IF you are going to understand some things in the universe. Some authors use Scientific notation to discuss the topics they are writing about. You will not understand what those authors are talking about without understanding Scientific notation.
Scientific notation is a way to represent very large or very small numbers. Developments in science allow us to investigate the universe as well as the microcosm: both these involve very large and/or small numbers. Furthermore, outside of scientific there are numbers such as population counts, the value of international trade, the US budget deficit, China's currency surplus whose use is considerably simplified by using scientific notation.
The scientific method is important in scientific investigation because it helps to test predictions (hypotheses). The scientific method has been very effective in advancing scientific knowledge. Scientists have learned a tremendous amount about our universe, by making use of it. Therefore, the scientific method has proved its value.
In their work astrophysicists deal with large distances between stars, and galaxies, and the size of the universe. These are written in sci. notation. Elementary particle physicists deal with extremely small particles, atoms, protons, bosons, etc. These masses and sizes are written in sci. notation.
The galaxy is approximately 8.51447556 X 1020 meters long. (Note how it is in scientific notation, because the number is really long to display here.)
Studying the universe is crucial for understanding our place in the cosmos, the laws of nature, and the origins of the universe. It can lead to advancements in technology, reveal insights into the fundamental principles governing the universe, and inspire curiosity and awe that drives scientific exploration and discovery.
Then you would need lots of digits to write down some numbers, like the diameter of the known Universe in meters, the mass of the Sun in kilometers, the mass of an electron in kilograms, Avogadro's number, etc. This would be very confusing - it is much easier to have the number of digits shown in scientific notation, than having to count them every time.
The scientific name for outer space is galaxy. The galaxy that Earth is in is called the Milky Way Galaxy. Scientists may also refer to outer space as the Universe.