Step 1: Write both numbers in scientific notation. For more information, use the SN Converter.

$$ 2\cdot 10^{2} = 2\cdot 10^{2} $$$$ 4\cdot 10^{-1} = 4\cdot 10^{-1} $$

Step 2: Divide the numeric parts. Note that in intermediate calculations, we need 6 significant digits.

$$ \frac{ 2 }{ 4 } \approx 0.5 $$

Step 3: Divide $10^{ 2 }$ by $10^{ -1 }$:

$$ \frac{ 10^{ 2 } }{ 10^{ -1 } } = 10^{ 2 - ( -1 ) } = 10^{ 3 } $$

Step 4: Write the solution as the product of the numbers obtained in steps two and three.

$$ 0.5 \cdot 10^{ 3 } $$

Step 5: Number 0.5 smaller than 10.
To fix this, we need to move the decimal point one place to the right and subtract 1 from the exponent.

$$ 5 \cdot 10^{ 2 } $$

Scientific notation Calculator