Q. 177 - Intermediate Algebra

Question

When you convert a number from decimal notation to scientific notation, how do you know if the exponent will be positive or negative

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

If the number is less than $1$ and greater than $-1$ exponent will be negative and if the number is greater than $1$ or less than $-1$exponent will be positive

Step 1 Given information

Let the number be $a$

Step 2

Consider $-1<a<1$

Then exponent will be negative

Consider$a<-1,a>1$

Then exponent will be positive