20 trillion converted to scientific notation is 2 × 1013.
Table of Contents
To express 20 trillion in scientific notation, you write the number as a product of a decimal number between 1 and 10, and a power of ten. Since trillion represents 1012, 20 trillion becomes 20 × 1012, which simplifies to 2 × 1013.
Conversion Tool
Result in scientific:
Conversion Formula
To convert a number from trillion to scientific notation, multiply the value by 1012, because 1 trillion equals 1,000,000,000,000 (1012). After multiplying, write the result as a decimal number between 1 and 10 multiplied by 10 raised to a power.
For example, converting 20 trillion:
- Start with 20 trillion = 20 × 1012
- Rewrite 20 as 2 × 10 (because 20 = 2 × 10)
- So, 20 × 1012 = 2 × 10 × 1012 = 2 × 1013
- Final scientific notation is 2 × 1013
This works because scientific notation requires the decimal part to be between 1 and 10, so the factor of 10 from 20 is shifted into the exponent.
Conversion Example
- Example 1: Convert 5 trillion
- 5 trillion = 5 × 1012
- 5 is already between 1 and 10, so no change needed
- Scientific notation: 5 × 1012
- Example 2: Convert 3.6 trillion
- 3.6 trillion = 3.6 × 1012
- 3.6 is between 1 and 10, so keep the same
- Result: 3.6 × 1012
- Example 3: Convert 45 trillion
- 45 trillion = 45 × 1012
- Rewrite 45 as 4.5 × 10
- So, 45 × 1012 = 4.5 × 10 × 1012 = 4.5 × 1013
- Scientific notation: 4.5 × 1013
- Example 4: Convert 0.75 trillion
- 0.75 trillion = 0.75 × 1012
- Rewrite 0.75 as 7.5 × 10-1
- So, 0.75 × 1012 = 7.5 × 10-1 × 1012 = 7.5 × 1011
- Scientific notation: 7.5 × 1011
Conversion Chart
| Value (Trillion) | Scientific Notation |
|---|---|
| -5.0 | -5.0 × 1012 |
| -4.0 | -4.0 × 1012 |
| -3.0 | -3.0 × 1012 |
| -2.0 | -2.0 × 1012 |
| -1.0 | -1.0 × 1012 |
| 0.0 | 0 × 1012 |
| 1.0 | 1.0 × 1012 |
| 5.0 | 5.0 × 1012 |
| 10.0 | 1.0 × 1013 |
| 15.0 | 1.5 × 1013 |
| 20.0 | 2.0 × 1013 |
| 25.0 | 2.5 × 1013 |
| 30.0 | 3.0 × 1013 |
| 35.0 | 3.5 × 1013 |
| 40.0 | 4.0 × 1013 |
| 45.0 | 4.5 × 1013 |
The chart shows values from negative 5 trillion up to 45 trillion, converted into scientific notation. You can find the trillion value on the left and see its equivalent scientific notation on the right. This helps quick reference without doing manual calculations.
Related Conversion Questions
- How do I write 20 trillion in scientific notation?
- What is the scientific form of 20 trillion?
- Convert twenty trillion into scientific notation, what is it?
- Is 20 trillion equal to 2 × 1013 in scientific notation?
- How many zeros are in 20 trillion when written in scientific form?
- What steps are needed to convert 20 trillion to scientific notation?
- How does the number 20 trillion translate into powers of ten?
Conversion Definitions
Trillion: A trillion is a numerical value equal to one million million, or 1,000,000,000,000. It is represented by 10 raised to the 12th power, and commonly used to express very large quantities in economics, science, or technology.
Scientific: Scientific notation is a way of expressing numbers that are too large or too small, using powers of ten. It writes numbers as a product between a decimal number from 1 to less than 10 and ten raised to an exponent, simplifying calculations.
Conversion FAQs
Why does 20 trillion become 2 × 1013 instead of 20 × 1012?
Because scientific notation requires the decimal part to be between 1 and 10, 20 is rewritten as 2 × 10. Then, multiplied by 1012, it becomes 2 × 10 × 1012, which equals 2 × 1013. This keeps the format consistent and standardized.
Is scientific notation only useful for large numbers like trillions?
No, scientific notation also helps express very small numbers, like 0.000001, in a compact form. It works for any scale, making it easier to read, compare, and calculate with extreme values, whether very large or very small.
Can negative trillion values be converted to scientific notation the same way?
Yes, negative values follow the same method. For example, -5 trillion is written as -5 × 1012. The negative sign stays in front, while the magnitude is expressed in scientific form.
How do I convert decimal trillions like 0.5 trillion to scientific notation?
Multiply the decimal value by 1012 as usual. For 0.5 trillion, it’s 0.5 × 1012. Then adjust the decimal part to be between 1 and 10 by shifting, resulting in 5 × 1011.
Why is scientific notation preferred in scientific fields instead of full numbers?
Because scientific notation reduces very large or very small numbers into manageable expressions that are easier to read, write, and compute. It prevents errors in counting zeros and simplifies multiplication or division involving those numbers.