Question

The number 0.003 written in scientific notation is 3 X 10 to the Negative 3 Power. Why is the exponent negative?

Answer 1

When we move decimal point 3 places to the right then we put the exponent negative.

Explanation:

The number 0.003 written in scientific notation is 3 X 10 to the Negative 3 Power.

In scientific notation we always put the decimal point after the first number

0.003 can be written as 3.0

When we move the decimal point we move 3 places to the right.

When we move decimal point to the left then we put the exponent positive.

When we move decimal point 3 places to the right then we put the exponent negative.

So 0.003 can be written as
`3 \cdot 10^(-3)`

Answer 2

The exponent is negative because, as a positive exponent means to multiply, a negative exponent means to divide. For example, in your problem it should look something like this: 3X10^-3. This basically is saying the same thing as 3/10, 3 times. So, 3/10 is 0.3. 0.3/10 is 0.03. 0.03/10 is 0.003. I don't know if this makes sense but I hope it does!

Explanation: