How do you write 0.00259 in scientific notation?

1 Answer
Costas C.
Jan 2, 2016

Move the decimal point to form a number between 1 and 10 and add a power of ten to compensate for the decimals.

Answer: #2.59*10^-3#

Note: some computers may have it 2.59e-3

Explanation:

You find the first non-zero digit from the left.

If the number is lower than 1

#0.00 **2** 59#

You place the decimal point to the right of the digit you found. Afterwards, you raise 10 to the power equal to negative the times you moved the decimal point to the right.

#0002.59->2.59*10^-3# This is your answer.

If the number is 10 or higher

# **2** 417.793#

You place the decimal point to the right of the digit you found. Afterwards, you raise 10 to the power equal to the times you moved the decimal point to the left.

#2.417793->2.417793*10^3#

If the number is between 1 and 10

Although unnecessary, you can put a #10^0# near the number.

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