Jesse E. answered • 08/27/19
Tutor
4.6
(8)
Masters in Chemistry and Bachelors in Biology
If you move the decimal point to the left, the exponent used will be positive. If you move it to the right, the exponent will be negative. The number of times you move the decimal is the number you put in the exponent.
Assuming you want three significant figures:
0.0045834 = 4. 58 x 10-3
Another way to think about this is that you moved in the negative direction three units.
Jesse E.
This is arbitrary in the grand scheme of things but in my academic experience, three significant figures are usually what is asked for. In addition, I assume the number of sig figs to be able to explain to the student how I arrive at the answer. I could have easily written 4583.4 x 10-6 but I chose not to, again, based on my experience.
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08/28/19
J.R. S.
tutor
I get it, but the original number has 5 sig. figs. So I think the answer should probably have the same. Just my opinion, and I do understand your intent to explain to the student how you arrived at your answer.
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08/29/19
J.R. S.
08/28/19