PRO Courses Hot Guides Tech Help Pro Expert Videos About wikiHow Pro Upgrade
QUIZZES All Quizzes Hot Love Quizzes Personality Quizzes Trivia Quizzes Taylor Swift Quizzes
EXPLORE Tech Help ProAbout UsRandom ArticleQuizzes Request a New ArticleCommunity DashboardTrendingForums Arts and EntertainmentArtworkBooksMoviesComputers and ElectronicsComputersPhone SkillsTechnology HacksHealthMen's HealthMental HealthWomen's HealthRelationshipsDatingLoveRelationship Issues Hobbies and CraftsCraftsDrawingGamesEducation & CommunicationCommunication SkillsPersonal DevelopmentStudyingPersonal Care and StyleFashionHair CarePersonal Hygiene Quizzes Love Quizzes Personality Quizzes Fun Games Arts and EntertainmentFinance and BusinessHome and GardenRelationship Quizzes Cars & Other VehiclesFood and EntertainingPersonal Care and StyleSports and Fitness Computers and ElectronicsHealthPets and AnimalsTravel Education & CommunicationHobbies and CraftsPhilosophy and ReligionWork World Family LifeHolidays and TraditionsRelationshipsYouth
LOG IN
Log in
Social login does not work in incognito and private browsers. Please log in with your username or email to continue. FacebookGooglewikiHow Account No account yet? Create an account
RANDOM
Home
Random
Browse Articles
TrendingNew
Quizzes & Games
All QuizzesHot
Love Quizzes
Personality Quizzes
Fun Games
Dating Simulator
Learn Something New
Forums
Courses
Happiness Hub
Explore More
Support wikiHow
About wikiHow
Log in / Sign up
Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow
Categories
Education and Communications
Studying
Mathematics
How to Divide Scientific Notation Explore this Article IN THIS ARTICLE 1 Divide the coefficients. 2 Divide the bases. 3 Multiply whole numbers by the new power of 10. 4 Convert the coefficient to scientific notation if needed. + Show 1 more... - Show less... Other Sections Related Articles References Co-authored by Jake Adams and Hannah Madden
Last Updated: January 17, 2026 Fact Checked
X
This article was co-authored by Jake Adams and by wikiHow staff writer, Hannah Madden. Jake Adams is an academic tutor and the owner of Simplifi EDU, a Santa Monica, California based online tutoring business offering learning resources and online tutors for academic subjects K-College, SAT & ACT prep, and college admissions applications. With over 14 years of professional tutoring experience, Jake is dedicated to providing his clients the very best online tutoring experience and access to a network of excellent undergraduate and graduate-level tutors from top colleges all over the nation. Jake holds a BS in International Business and Marketing from Pepperdine University. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 31,124 times.
When you’re learning about scientific notation, you’ll probably come across a division question sooner or later. Fortunately, since numbers with the same base can be divided easily, dividing scientific notation only takes a few extra steps. In this article, we’ll walk you through dividing scientific notation and give you some helpful examples along the way.
Things You Should Know
Divide the whole numbers, then use the rule of exponents to divide the bases.
If the new coefficient is a whole number, multiply the number by the new power of 10 to get your solution.
If the new coefficient is not a whole number, convert it to scientific notation before multiplying it by the new power of 10.
Steps
1
Divide the coefficients.
Start by dividing the whole numbers separately from the bases. This will give you your new coefficient in your scientific notation answer.[1]XResearch source For example:
Let’s say the problem is ( 9 × 10 8 ) / ( 3 × 10 5 ) {\displaystyle (9 \times 10^8) / (3 \times 10^5)}
Our first step would be to divide the coefficients: 9 / 3 = 3 {\displaystyle 9 / 3 = 3}
Advertisement 2
Divide the bases.
Use the rule of exponents to divide the bases separately. Now that you have your coefficient, it’s time to find the base. The rule of exponents tells us that to divide numbers with exponents, you just subtract them.[2]XResearch source
To continue our example from above, dividing the bases would look like this: 10 8 / 10 5 {\displaystyle 10^8 / 10^5}
Using the rule of exponents, we’d convert it to 10 8 − 10 5 = 10 3 {\displaystyle 10^8 - 10^5 = 10^3} , because 8 − 5 = 3 {\displaystyle 8 - 5 = 3}
3
Multiply whole numbers by the new power of 10.
If your coefficient is a whole number, combine it with the base. Whole numbers are easy: all you have to do is take your coefficient that you found earlier and pair it with your new power of 10.[3]XResearch source
From our example above, the answer would be 3 × 10 3 {\displaystyle 3 \times 10^3}
Advertisement 4
Convert the coefficient to scientific notation if needed.
If your coefficient is not a whole number, convert it to scientific notation. Let’s say that when you divide your coefficient, the answer is a number that’s less than 1. In that case, there’s one more step you need to do: move the decimal point to the right, then decrease the exponent by the number of places that you move the decimal point.[4]XResearch source Let’s try a new problem:
The solution is 5 × 10 10 {\displaystyle 5 \times 10^{10}}
Expert Q&A
Search Add New Question Ask a Question 200 characters left Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Submit Advertisement
Tips
Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
You Might Also Like
How to Multiply Numbers in Scientific NotationHow toDivide ExponentsThe Quick and Easy Guide to Understanding Negative ExponentsHow toChange Numbers Into and Out of Scientific NotationHow toDo DivisionHow toSolve Algebraic Problems With ExponentsHow toDivide DecimalsHow toDivide a Whole Number by a DecimalHow toSolve ExponentsHow to Divide Mixed NumbersHow toMultiply ExponentsHow to Turn a Fraction into a DecimalHow toSolve Decimal ExponentsHow Do You Divide a Whole Number by a Fraction? A Step-by-Step Guide Advertisement
Co-authored by: Jake Adams Math Tutor This article was co-authored by Jake Adams and by wikiHow staff writer, Hannah Madden. Jake Adams is an academic tutor and the owner of Simplifi EDU, a Santa Monica, California based online tutoring business offering learning resources and online tutors for academic subjects K-College, SAT & ACT prep, and college admissions applications. With over 14 years of professional tutoring experience, Jake is dedicated to providing his clients the very best online tutoring experience and access to a network of excellent undergraduate and graduate-level tutors from top colleges all over the nation. Jake holds a BS in International Business and Marketing from Pepperdine University. This article has been viewed 31,124 times. 12 votes - 71% Co-authors: 4Updated: January 17, 2026 Views: 31,124 Categories: Mathematics
Print
Send fan mail to authors
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 31,124 times.
Reader Success Stories
Chris Anthony
Dec 7, 2022
"Currently I'm doing math homework that included dividing scientific notation. I now know what to do because I read this article. Thanks!"..." more
Share your story
Did this article help you?
Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Co-authored by: Jake Adams Math Tutor 12 votes - 71% Click a star to vote Co-authors: 4Updated: January 17, 2026 Views: 31,124
Chris Anthony
Dec 7, 2022
"Currently I'm doing math homework that included dividing scientific notation. I now know what to do because I read this article. Thanks!"..." more Share yours!
Quizzes & Games
Do I Have Common Sense QuizTake QuizHow Many Digits of Pi Do I Know QuizTake QuizIQ TestTake QuizMusic Notes & Symbols TestTake Quiz
You Might Also Like
How to Multiply Numbers in Scientific NotationHow toDivide ExponentsThe Quick and Easy Guide to Understanding Negative ExponentsHow toChange Numbers Into and Out of Scientific Notation
Trending Articles
Do I Have Rizz QuizAm I Emo QuizDo I Have Main Character Energy?Am I Manipulative Quiz
Trending Articles
Which Game of Thrones House Would I Be In?Create & Send Prank Text Messages With Fake Error MessagesHow to Read PalmsShould We Break Up Quiz
Take the Quiz Everyone Is Talking About
Am I Gay QuizWhat Animal Am I QuizWhat Is My Mental Age QuizHow Well Do I Know My Best Friend Quiz
You've Seen These All Over Your Feed
10+ Scary Phone Numbers to Call360 of the Best Borg Names for Your Next Party: Unique, Historical & MoreWhat Every Domain Expansion Hand Sign Means In Jujutsu KaisenThe Ultimate List of Truth or Drink Questions
Featured Videos
How toPlay Dice (2 Dice Gambling Games)How toPersuade a Girl over TextHow toGive Someone the Silent TreatmentHow toMake Hibiscus Tea
Hot Takes 🔥 🔥 🔥
Do You Agree with These Crazy Hot Takes?Do You Agree with These Pop Culture Hot Takes?Do You Agree With These Fashion Hot Takes?Do You Agree With These Board Game Hot Takes?
Your Daily Dose of Fun!
Am I a Bruh Girl?When Will I Get My First Period QuizWhat is My One Piece Race?What Pokémon Is My Pet Most Like?
Categories
Education and Communications
Studying
Mathematics
wikiHow Newsletter You're all set! Helpful how-tos delivered toyour inbox every week! Sign me up! By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy.
Advertisement 
Co-authored by: Jake Adams Math Tutor This article was co-authored by Jake Adams and by wikiHow staff writer, Hannah Madden. Jake Adams is an academic tutor and the owner of Simplifi EDU, a Santa Monica, California based online tutoring business offering learning resources and online tutors for academic subjects K-College, SAT & ACT prep, and college admissions applications. With over 14 years of professional tutoring experience, Jake is dedicated to providing his clients the very best online tutoring experience and access to a network of excellent undergraduate and graduate-level tutors from top colleges all over the nation. Jake holds a BS in International Business and Marketing from Pepperdine University. This article has been viewed 31,124 times. 12 votes - 71% Co-authors: 4 Updated: January 17, 2026 Views: 31,124 Categories: Mathematics 
Take Quiz
Take Quiz
Take Quiz
Take Quiz 
468 
Start by dividing the whole numbers separately from the bases. This will give you your new coefficient in your scientific notation answer.[1] For example: 
Use the rule of exponents to divide the bases separately. Now that you have your coefficient, it’s time to find the base. The rule of exponents tells us that to divide numbers with exponents, you just subtract them.[2] 
If your coefficient is a whole number, combine it with the base. Whole numbers are easy: all you have to do is take your coefficient that you found earlier and pair it with your new power of 10.[3] 
If your coefficient is not a whole number, convert it to scientific notation. Let’s say that when you divide your coefficient, the answer is a number that’s less than 1. In that case, there’s one more step you need to do: move the decimal point to the right, then decrease the exponent by the number of places that you move the decimal point.[4] Let’s try a new problem: 