Change the decimals to the form whole number ×10−n Where n is the number of times you have to move the decimal point to get a whole number. 1.612=1612×10−3 0.4=4×10−1
1.612
0.4
=
1612×10−3
4×10−1
=403×10−3−(−1)=403×10−3+1=403×10−2
Note: from law of indices,
am
an
=am−n 4 divides itself once and 1612, 403 times. Change the format back to decimal by moving to the left, the number of times of the power (2) 403=403.0 403.0×10−2=4.03