Head First Physics

Chapter 3. Scientific Notation, Area, and Volume: All numbers great and small

In the real world, you have to deal with all kinds of numbers, not just the ones that are easier to work with. In this chapter, you’ll be taking control of unwieldy numbers using scientific notation and discovering why rounding a large number doesn’t mean having to write a zillion zeros at the end. You’ll also use your new superpowers to deal with units of area and volume - which is where scientific notation will save you lots of grief (and time) in the future!

A messy college dorm room

Well, actually a particularly filthy college dorm room - Matt and Kyle probably wouldn’t know one end of a vacuum cleaner from the other, and the idea of cleaning has never entered their heads.

But the Dorm Inspector has had enough...

So how long before things go really bad?

Brain Power

Every 20 minutes, the bugs will divide in two. So the total number of bugs will double every 20 minutes.

How many do you think there will be by tomorrow (12 hours later) - and how might you work that out?

Kyle: Whether they can or not, just the thought ...