Final answer:
To order numbers in scientific notation with different powers, compare the coefficients and then compare the powers. For numbers with the same powers, compare the coefficients.
Step-by-step explanation:
When ordering numbers written in scientific notation with different powers, you can compare the coefficients of the numbers. The number with the larger coefficient is greater. If the coefficients are the same, then you compare the powers. The number with the larger power is greater.
For example, let's compare 3.5 x 104 and 2.8 x 105. Since 2.8 is greater than 3.5, the number 2.8 x 105 is greater than 3.5 x 104.
If the powers are the same, you can simply compare the coefficients to determine the greater number. For example, comparing 5.3 x 103 and 7.2 x 103, the number 7.2 x 103 is greater because 7.2 is greater than 5.3.