could someone help me with math?

Question

Write 6.42×10^-1 in standard form:

Answer 1

Good morning Seth,

 

When working with exponential notation and converting to standard form, you need to look at the exponent.  If the exponent is negative, move the decimal point to the left.  If the exponent is positive, move the decimal point to the right.  The number of time the exponent is moved (to the left or right) is equal to the magnitude of the exponent.  Note, in some instances, you may be adding additional zeros.

 

So, with 

 

6.42 x 10^-1

 

we need to move the decimal point to the left, one place

 

0.642

 

 

Answer 2

I see that you have submitted quite a few of these elementary scientific notation problems to the online facility.

 

You need to review this topic and to understand the powers of ten and what effect they have: a multiplier of ten to a negative exponent, when applied, has the effect of moving the decimal point to the left of where it was in the decimal part. And a multiplier of ten to a positive exponent will cause the decimal point to move to the right. 

 

I think that it would benefit you greatly to form a little math homework group.  You shouldn't put problem after problem online, when they're all the same type!

 

In this instance, the result is 0.642, i.e. the decimal point went one position leftward.