Question

How do you write `0.00206` in scientific notation?

Answer 1

`2.06xx10^(-3)`

Explanation:

When writing a number `a` in scientific notation, we write it in the form

`a' xx 10 ^ b`

where

`1 <= a' < 10`

To do this, we shift `a`'s decimal point such that we satisfy the above condition. The amount of shift of would translate to the value of `b` while the direction of the shift would translate to the sign. Shifting the decimal point to the right means `b` is negative. On the other hand, shifting the decimal point to the left would mean `b` is positive

Using the given number in the question as an example:

`a = 0.00206`

`a' = 2.06`

To get `a'`, we shifted the decimal point 3 places to the right.
This means

`b = -3`

Hence,

`0.00206 = 2.06 xx 10^-3`