Problem 79

Question

Write each number in scientific notation. $$638,000,000,000,000,000$$

Step-by-Step Solution

Verified
Answer
The number \(638,000,000,000,000,000\) in scientific notation is \(6.38 \times 10^{16}\).
1Step 1: Identify the significant digits
The significant digits in the number \(638,000,000,000,000,000\) are 638. All the other digits are zeros.
2Step 2: Write the significant digits as a decimal number greater than or equal to 1 but less than 10
We write 638 as 6.38. This is done by placing a decimal point after the first digit.
3Step 3: Count the place values from decimal to the end of the number
The original number has 18 digits. Since we moved the decimal point two places to the left to get 6.38, there are 16 place values left. Therefore, the exponent of 10 will be 16.
4Step 4: Write the number in scientific notation
Combining Step 2 and Step 3, the number \(638,000,000,000,000,000\) in scientific notation is \(6.38 \times 10^{16}\).