Question 1.ex.1: Write each number in scientifi c notation: (a) 2,500; (b) 0....

Step [1] Move the decimal point to give a number between 1 and 10.

a.2500.
Move the decimal point three places to the left to give the number 2.5.

b.0.036
Move the decimal point two places to the right to give the number 3.6.

Step [2] Multiply the result by 10^{x}, where x is the number of places the decimal point was moved.
• If the decimal point is moved to the left, x is positive.
• If the decimal point is moved to the right, x is negative.

a. Since the decimal point was moved three places to the left, the exponent is +3, and the coeffi cient is multiplied by 10^{3}.
Answer: 2,500 = 2.5 × 10^{3}

b. Since the decimal point was moved two places to the right, the exponent is –2, and the coeffi cient is multiplied by 10^{–2}.
Answer: 0.036 = 3.6 × 10^{–2}