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------------------------------------------------ How is 186,000 written in scientific notation?

A. $186 \times 10^3$
B. $186 \times 10^4$
C. $1.86 \times 10^5$
D. $1.86 \times 10^6$

Answer :

To write the number 186,000 in scientific notation, we need to express the number as a product of a number between 1 and 10, and a power of 10.

Let's break down the steps:

  1. Identify the Significant Figures: The number here is 186,000, and the significant figures are the digits 1, 8, and 6.

  2. Place the Decimal Point: To convert the number into a form where it's between 1 and 10, we place the decimal point after the first digit, which looks like this: [tex]1.86[/tex].

  3. Determine the Power of 10: Count how many places the decimal point needed to move from its original position (after the last zero) to its new position. In this case, it moved 5 places to the left.

  4. Write in Scientific Notation: Combine [tex]1.86[/tex] with [tex]10^5[/tex] to express 186,000 in scientific notation. So, we get:

    [tex]1.86 \times 10^5[/tex]

Therefore, the correct option is C. [tex]1.86 \times 10^5[/tex].

Scientific notation is a convenient way to express very large or very small numbers, making them easier to read and work with, especially in scientific and mathematical contexts.