Write out the number you want to convert. For example, 0.000000035 meters or 54,400,000 liters.
Count the number of decimal places to the right of the first non-zero number for numbers. The number of decimal places is the number of digits between the "." and the position to where you count. The number of decimal places to the right count as a negative number. The number of decimal places to the left count as a positive number.
In the first example, 0.000000035 has 8 decimal places to the right before getting to the immediate right of the "3;" therefore, you would use "-8."
In the second example, 54,400,000 has 7 decimal places before getting to the immediate right of "5;" therefore, you would use "7."
Write the non-zero portion of the number with a decimal immediately after the first digit. Then add " x 10" with a superscript of the number you recorded earlier. In the first example, you would write 3.5 x 10^-8 meters. The "^" sign can be used when you cannot type the number in an elevated, superscript position. Note the negative sign before the "8."
In the second example, you would write 5.44 x 10^7 liters.
Write out the scientific notation. As examples, "3.24 x 10^-9 kilograms" or "8.87 x 10^6 kilometers."
Locate the superscript number after the 10, or the regular number after "10^". In the examples, you would find "-9" and "6," respectively.
Move the decimal that many places to the left or right. You would move the decimal to the left, if the number is negative. You would move it to the right, if the number is positive.
In the first example, 3.24 x 10^-9, you would move the decimal nine places to the left to equal 0.00000000324 kilograms.
In the second example, 8.87 x 10^6, you would move the decimal six places to the right to equal 8,870,000 kilometers.