1

COMPUTATION
Currency Conversion
Example 1
If BDS$1.98 = US$1 find, to the nearest cent, the value in
Barbados money of $1200
Since US $1

= BDS $1.98

US $1200 = BDS $(1.98 x 1200)

= BDS $2376

Example 2
A British tourist change traveller's cheques for 75 into
Jamaica money. The exchange rates are 0.70 = US $1
and JA $5.90 = US $1. How much Jamaican money does
he receive?
Since
0.70 = US $1

=$

1
0.70

= US $1.43

75 = US $(75 x 1.43)
US $107
Since
US $1

= JA $5.90

US $107 = JA $(107 x 5.90)

= JA $631.30
Rounding Numbers (Approximation)
The rounding off of whole numbers to the nearest 10, 100,
1000,
The rounding off of decimals to 1, 2, 3, , places.
Standard Form
A number expressed in the form A x

10n

where A is a

number between 1 and 10 and n is an integer is said to be

in standard form.

Example 1
a) 50,000 = 5 x
3
1000

b)0.003 =

10

1
10 3

=3x

10

c) 2710 = 2.71 x 1000 = 2.71 x

103

Example 2
Find
2

a) 4.21 x 10 = 4.21 x 100 = 421

b)4.7 x 10 = 4.7 x 0.001 = 0.0047
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Example 3
Calculate 366 0.0012 and write the answer
1)exactly,
2)in standard form
1)366 0.0012 =

366
0.0012
3660000

= 12
= 305,000
2)305,000 = 3.05 x 10 in standard form
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Example 4
When using standard form it is possible to multiply and
divide numbers, taking advantage of the form in which
they are written
Note we can use these rules
10a x 10b =10a+ b
10a x 10b =10ab

where a and b are numbers

18

a) Find

4 x 10 x 3 x 10

To do this calculation you must multiply together the 4

and 3 and then multiply

18

4 x 10 x 3 x 10

=4x3x
= 12 x

10

1022

1018the 104

10

This result is not in standard form, so the final stage is to

convert the result to standard form.
12 x

1022

= 1.2 x 10 x
= 1.2 x

Answer 1.2 x

b)Find

1022

1023

1023

6 x 10
4
( 8) (3 x 10 )

First divide 6 by 3 and then divide

6 x 10
4
( 8) (3 x 10 )

= (6 3) x (
=2x

108 10 4

10

by

10

104

Exercise
Express each of the following in standard form:
1)92, 500

2)893
3)5,600,000
4)0.035
5)0.7
6)0.000365
7)
a) Using a calculator, or otherwise, determine the
2.32 +4.12

exact value of i)
0.18
ii) 0.6 - 0.003
1
3
3 2
3
5
1
2
5

iii)

b) (i) Write your answer in part (a) (i) correct to

one significant figure.
(ii) Write your answer in part (a) (ii) in standard
form
8)Give the answers of the following calculations in
standard form. Do not use a Calculator.
a) ( 8 x 10 ) ( 2 x 10 ) =
b) ( 1.32 x 10 ) ( 1.2 x 10 ) =
6

9)Do the following using a calculator, giving your

answer in standard form.
a) (4.2 x 10
6 2

7
5 3

b)(1.2 x
c) 8.1 x 10

10
8

d)
10)

3 x 10 8
3
5 x 10
4

3.2 x 10 x 5 x 10