To put a number in scientific notation, follow these steps:
1. Identify the coefficient: The coefficient is a number between 1 and 10 that represents the significant digits in the original number. For example, if the original number is 520, the coefficient would be 5.2 because the decimal point is after the first digit.
2. Determine the exponent: The exponent represents the power of 10 that the coefficient is multiplied by. Count the number of places the decimal point needs to move to get the original number in scientific notation. If the original number is 520, the decimal point needs to move 2 places to the left, so the exponent would be -2.
3. Write the number in scientific notation: Combine the coefficient and the exponent using the format "coefficient x 10^exponent." Using the example from step 2, the number 520 in scientific notation would be written as 5.2 x 10^-2.
Another example: Let's say the original number is 0.00345. The coefficient would be 3.45 (decimal point moved three places to the right), and the exponent would be -3. Therefore, the number in scientific notation would be 3.45 x 10^-3.
Remember to always express the coefficient as a number between 1 and 10, and the exponent as a power of 10.
