Question 766742
Simple way to show is first:

3400000
0020000
____________
3420000


You want to MOVE the (implied) decimal point to the left until its placement indicates a number greater than or equal to 1 and less than 10; and then indicate the power of ten which would reverse that decimal placement.


3.42______ happens if you move decimal point 6 places.

This means your power of ten must be {{{10^6}}}.


Your number converted to scientific notation is {{{highlight(3.42* x* 10^6)}}}.
Please ignore the dots around the x; rendering was not working and so they were necessary for the expression to appear.
That does show the use of "x" as a multiplication symbol.