Question

Which of the following explains how a coefficient is written for a scientific notation?

OFirst digit of the number followed by a decimal point then followed by any remaining digits except for zeros
O First digit of the number followed by a decimal point then followed by the remaining digits leaving off any zeros at the end
O First two digits of the number followed by a decimal point then followed by the remaining digits leaving off any zeros at the
O First digit of the number followed by a decimal point then followed by all the remaining digits, including zeros at the end

Answer 1

A coefficient in scientific notation is written as the first non-zero digit followed by a decimal point and all remaining significant digits, including any significant zeros. It represents a number usually between 1 and 10 and is paired with a power of ten to express very large or very small numbers compactly.

Step-by-step explanation:

A coefficient in scientific notation is written as the first non-zero digit of the number, followed by a decimal point, and then by all the remaining significant digits, including zeros. For example, to express the number 79,345 in scientific notation, we would write the coefficient as 7.9345, and then determine the appropriate power of ten needed to represent the original number, which would result in 7.9345 × 104.

When using scientific notation, the coefficient will be a number between 1 and 10, and any trailing zeros that are significant will be included. Insignificant trailing zeros are not included in the coefficient. For instance, the number 12,700,000 in scientific notation becomes 1.27 × 107, where the coefficient is 1.27.

It is essential to understand that scientific notation is extremely useful for expressing very large or very small numbers in a more manageable form. This form includes both the coefficient that shows all the significant figures of the original measurement and the power of ten which indicates how many places the decimal point has moved.