Scientific Notation in Any Base
written by Teresa Carrigan
- What is it?
- How it works
- How to use it
- Things to notice
- Things to try
- Extending the model
- NetLogo features
- Related models
- Credits and References
- For more information
- Download the model
WHAT IS IT?
This model demonstrates scientific notation in any base from two to sixteen.
HOW IT WORKS
First the radix point (decimal point in base ten) moves to the left until a single digit is to its left. Then any leading zeroes are dropped, moving the radix point to the right. Finally any trailing zeroes are dropped. Each time the radix point moves to the left, the exponent increases. Each time the radix point moves to the right, the exponent decreases.
HOW TO USE IT
If you want examples from a specific base: Use the base slider to set the base. Now press the setup button. This will generate a random number in that base.If you do not care which base is used, click the random button to generate an arbitrary base and number.
The slow-motion slider is an easy way to adjust the speed of the display. Set it to zero if you want to show the final result as quickly as possible. 0.5 is a good setting for most purposes.
The step button demonstrates the next step in converting to scientific notation, and then stops so you can take notes. This is useful when you are first learning the method.
The go button does each remaining step, at a speed determined by the slow-motion slider. This is useful when you do not need to take notes between each step.
The show-again button starts the exact problem from the beginning. You may then click either the step button or the go button to see the same demonstration.
THINGS TO NOTICE
Every time the radix point moves a space to the left, the exponent increases by one. Every time the radix point moves a space to the right, the exponent decreases by one.The final answer always has exactly one digit to the left of the radix point, and at least one digit to the right of the radix point.
THINGS TO TRY
Set slow-motion to 0.5, click random, and then click go.Set the base slider to a problem type you want to drill, then click setup. Attempt one step at a time on paper, and then click the step button to check that you did that step correctly.
EXTENDING THE MODEL
Allow the user to input a starting digit pattern.Modify the model so that some of the time the starting digit pattern already has an exponent.
NETLOGO FEATURES
Extensive use is made of "other-BREED-here", "min-one-of" and "max-one-of".
RELATED MODELS
CREDITS AND REFERENCES
This model was written by Teresa W. Carrigan, 2004.Permission to use, modify or redistribute this model is hereby granted, provided that both of the following requirements are followed:
Contact Teresa Carrigan for appropriate licenses for redistribution for profit.
- this copyright notice is included.
- this model will not be redistributed for profit without permission from Teresa Carrigan.
To refer to this model in academic publications, please use: Carrigan, T. (2004). Scientific Notation in Any Base model. Blackburn College, Carlinville, IL.
In other publications, please use: Copyright 2004 by Teresa W. Carrigan. All rights reserved.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
For more information on scientific notation, see one of the following textbooks:
- Bronson, G. Java for Engineers and Scientists, First Edition, Thomson/BrooksCole, page 52.
- Warford, J. Computer Systems, Second Edition, Jones and Bartlett, pages 112-113.
HomeApplets on this website were written by Teresa Carrigan in 2004, for use in computer science courses at Blackburn College, with the exception of the Fireworks applet. The applets made with NetLogo require Java 1.4.1 or higher to run. The applets made with NetBeans require Java 1.4.2 or higher to run. Applets might not run on Windows 95 or Mac OS 8 or 9. You may obtain the latest Java plugin from Sun's Java site.