Problem 128 - College Algebra

Question

How do you know if a number is written in scientific notation?

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

A number is in scientific notation if it has a coefficient that is greater than or equal to 1 and less than 10, followed by multiplication with the base number 10 and its power.

Step 1: Identify the Coefficient

Identify the coefficient of the number. The coefficient is the number that comes before the multiplication with 10. Be sure that this number is in between 1 and 10 (1 can be inclusive if it has any non-zero decimal component).

Step 2: Identify the Base and Power

Look for the number '10' which should come immediately after the multiplication. This '10' should also have an exponent (power) attached to it. It could be any whole number (positive, negative, or zero).

Step 3: Check for Completeness

Make sure the format meets the necessary requirements of scientific notation which includes - a coefficient between 1 and 10 and a power of 10. If your number meets all this criterion, then it is written in scientific notation.