How do you write #2120.6 # in scientific notation?

1 Answer
Mar 9, 2016

#2.1206xx10^3#

Explanation:

The target format is #2.1206#

To achieve this we would keep the decimal point where it is and slide the number #2120.6# to the right for 3 digits.

So mathematically we apply :#" "2120.6 xx 1/10^3#

But in doing this on its own changes the value.

But we can make #1/10^3# be part of 1 in that we have #color(brown)(10^3/10^3)#

#color(brown)("If we multiply a number by 1 we do not change its value!")#

#2120.6xx10^3/10^3" " =" "2120.6xx1" " =" " 2120.6#

#2120.6/10^3xx10^3" " =" "2120.6xx1" " =" " 2120.6#

Apply the #2120.6 -: 10^3#

#2.1206xx10^3" " =" "2120.6xx1" " =" " 2120.6#