High School

An expression is given below:

[tex]\frac{3.1 \times 10^3}{2.0 \times 10^2}[/tex]

What is the simplified form in scientific notation?

A. [tex]1.55 \times 10^1[/tex]

B. [tex]1.55 \times 10^2[/tex]

C. [tex]1.55 \times 10^{-2}[/tex]

D. [tex]1.55 \times 10^{-1}[/tex]

Answer :

To simplify the expression

[tex]$$
\frac{3.1 \times 10^3}{2.0 \times 10^2},
$$[/tex]

follow these steps:

1. Divide the Coefficients:
Divide the numerical parts:
[tex]$$
\frac{3.1}{2.0} = 1.55.
$$[/tex]

2. Subtract the Exponents:
When dividing powers of ten, subtract the exponent in the denominator from the exponent in the numerator:
[tex]$$
\frac{10^3}{10^2} = 10^{3-2} = 10^1.
$$[/tex]

3. Combine the Results:
Multiply the simplified coefficient by the power of ten:
[tex]$$
1.55 \times 10^1.
$$[/tex]

So, the simplified form in scientific notation is

[tex]$$
1.55 \times 10^1.
$$[/tex]

This corresponds to option A.