How to simplify #5 times 4.0 times 10^-4# in scientific notation?

1 Answer
Meave60
Nov 4, 2015

#5xx4.0xx10^-4=2xx10^-3#

Explanation:

#5xx4.0xx10^-4#

Multiply #5xx4#.

#20xx10^-4#

Move the decimal to the left one place so that the coefficient has one non-zero digit in front of the decimal, and add #1# to the exponent.

#20xx10^-4=#

#2xx10^(-4+1)=#

#2xx10^-3#

Note: Since #5# has only one significant figure, and we are multiplying, the answer can have only one significant figure. Therefore, the coefficient must be #2# and not #2.0#, which has two significant figures.

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