Question

Express the following quantity in scientific notation. The answer needs to have the correct number of significant figures: 21,300,000 mL

a. 2.13 x 106 mL
b.2.1 x 107 mL
c.0.213 x 107 mL
d.2.13 x 107 mL

Answer 1

Okay, my basic instructions for scientific notation :P

1. Count the number of numbers before the first numbers - okay that sentence had way to many "numbers" in it, but for example in 2390 count how many numbers are behing the 2 (there are 3 numbers behind it).
2. Put your decimal place behind your first number and write down any non-zero numbers that are before it, so for 2390 I would write 2.39.
3. Then put x10 to the power of the number you found in one.

So for 2390 it would be 2.39 x 10^3. Which answer do you think it is for your question? :)

Answer 2

The only weird thing is since there is no decimal point in your question then it's infinite sig figs. This is due to the fact that you know exactly the amount that you have. doesn't matter how many zeros you put on the end your accuracy is exact. So we say infinite sig figs. Same as if you said 12 eggs or 1 car.