How To Write "Three Tenths" In Standard Form

Standard form, also known as scientific notation, is generally used when dealing with exceedingly large or small numbers. While 3/10 is not a small number, you may still need to express the fraction in standard form for a homework assignment or for a school-related paper. Standard form involves taking the number and expressing it in exponent form. While expressing fractions in standard form may sound tricky, you can convert the fraction into a decimal to make the process easier.

Step 1

Convert the fraction to a decimal. 3/10 is equal to 0.3.

Step 2

Write the number without the decimal, which would be 3.

Step 3

Write "x 10^-1" following the 3, because the decimal is one position to the left of the 3. The full answer would appear as "3 x 10^-1."