College

What is the correct way to write [tex]$1,550,000,000$[/tex] in scientific notation?

A. [tex]$1.55 \times 10^9$[/tex]
B. [tex]$1.55 \times 10^{10}$[/tex]
C. [tex]$15.5 \times 10^8$[/tex]
D. [tex]$15.5 \times 10^9$[/tex]

Answer :

To write [tex]$1,550,000,000$[/tex] in scientific notation, you need to express it as a product of a number between 1 and 10 and a power of 10. Here's how you can do it:

1. Identify the significant digits: The number [tex]$1,550,000,000$[/tex] has its significant digits as [tex]$1.55$[/tex] since all the zeros are just place holders.

2. Determine the power of 10: Count how many places you need to move the decimal point in [tex]$1.55$[/tex] to get back to the original number. Starting with [tex]$1.55$[/tex], you move the decimal [tex]$9$[/tex] places to the right to arrive at [tex]$1,550,000,000$[/tex]:
- Move from [tex]$1.55$[/tex] to [tex]$15.5$[/tex]
- Move from [tex]$15.5$[/tex] to [tex]$155$[/tex]
- Continue moving step-by-step until you reach [tex]$1,550,000,000$[/tex]

3. Write the scientific notation: Since you moved the decimal point 9 places to the right, the scientific notation is [tex]$1.55 \times 10^9$[/tex].

Thus, the correct way to write [tex]$1,550,000,000$[/tex] in scientific notation is [tex]$1.55 \times 10^9$[/tex].