Convert the number 45 billion to scientific notation.
A.
4.5 × 10-10
B.
4.5 × 108
C.
4.5 × 109
D.
4.5 × 1010

Question

Convert the number 45 billion to scientific notation.
	A.	
4.5 × 10-10
	B.	
4.5 × 108
	C.	
4.5 × 109
	D.	
4.5 × 1010

jagatuba · Answer

45,000,000,000

Steps to convert ANY number to scientific notation:
A) put the decimal point one digit to the right of the first digit of the number
4.5000000000
B) Count the number of digits to the right of the decimal point.
4.5000000000 ~ 9(0)+1(5)=10 digits
C) Eliminated unnecessary zeros.
4.5
D) Multiply number by 10 to the power of however many digits you previously counted.
4.5x10^10
or$$4.5\times10^{10}$$

jagatuba · Answer

If you a doing a number smaller than 1, i.e., 0.00000000045, you move the decimal point again to the right of the first non-zero number (4) and count how many positions you moved it. Since it is going in the other direction your exponent will be negative:$$4.5\times10^{-10}$$