Move the decimal point so the number is between 1 and 10
Count how many places the decimal moved
Write the number as a product of the new number and 10 raised to the counted power
Use a positive exponent if the decimal moved left
Use a negative exponent if the decimal moved right
Example: 4500 = 4.5 × 10^3
Example: 0.0062 = 6.2 × 10^-3