Question

What is the true number of 6.02x1023? Group of answer choices a. .000000000000000000000602 b. 60200000000000000000000.0 c. 602000000000000000000000 d. 6020000000000000000000

Answer 1

c. 602000000000000000000000

Explanation:

6.02x10^23

Start with 6.02

Move the decimal point two to the right: 602 x 10^21 Note that the exponent was reduced by two to account for moving the decimal point 2 to the right.

Then add 21 zeros:

602000000000000000000000

[Count the zeros for each option, or indent to align with the options to more easily compare]

There are 21 zeros after the 602

602000000000000000000000

This matches c) 602000000000000000000000

This is why scientific notation was invented. Numbers this large are common in the sciences (and government budgets). As written, they are relatively meaningless and difficult to understand. Perhaps equally important, publishers don't like wasting space. (Just kidding, but it is another consideration).