Ideas in this flowchart

• Scientific notation simplifies calculations with very large numbers.
• It allows mantissas and powers of ten to be handled separately.
• In the forest-fire example, the method is applied to estimate standing-timber value.
• Parcel area is expressed as a power of ten.
• Timber volume is expressed as a power of ten.
• Timber price is expressed as a power of ten.
• These quantities are multiplied and combined.
• The calculation produces an estimate of the value of standing timber.
• The approach reduces errors involving large numbers.
• It provides a transparent ballpark result.