Problem 86 - College Algebra Essentials

Question

Write each number in scientific notation. $$-0.00000000405$$

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

\(-4.05 \times 10^{-9}\)

Step 1: Identify the Decimal Place

Identify the significant figures in -0.00000000405. The significant figures are '405', so we need to move the decimal point so that only these figures are to the left of the decimal.

Step 2: Moving the Decimal point

Move the decimal point to make the number -4.05. Count how many places you moved the decimal point. In this case, you moved the decimal point 9 places to the right.

Step 3: Writing in Scientific Notation

Write the number as -4.05 times 10 to the power of the number of places you moved the decimal point. Since you moved the decimal 9 places, the scientific notation is \(-4.05 \times 10^{-9}\)