Convert 4500 to scientific notation.

Convert 4500 to scientific notation.

• A. 45 × 10^2
• B. 4.5 × 10^4
• C. 0.45 × 10^4
• D. 4.5 × 10^3

Answer: (D)

In scientific notation, a number is written as a × 10^n with the a value between 1 and 10. For 4500, move the decimal three places to the left to get 4.5, and compensate with 10^3. So 4500 = 4.5 × 10^3, which fits the standard form. Other representations either place the decimal so the coefficient isn’t between 1 and 10 or would change the value if kept in standard form. For example, 45 × 10^2 equals 4500 but isn’t in proper form; it would be rewritten as 4.5 × 10^3. Similarly, 4.5 × 10^4 equals 45,000, and 0.45 × 10^4 is equivalent to 4.5 × 10^3 but isn’t the standard way to present it.

In scientific notation, a number is written as a × 10^n with the a value between 1 and 10. For 4500, move the decimal three places to the left to get 4.5, and compensate with 10^3. So 4500 = 4.5 × 10^3, which fits the standard form.

Other representations either place the decimal so the coefficient isn’t between 1 and 10 or would change the value if kept in standard form. For example, 45 × 10^2 equals 4500 but isn’t in proper form; it would be rewritten as 4.5 × 10^3. Similarly, 4.5 × 10^4 equals 45,000, and 0.45 × 10^4 is equivalent to 4.5 × 10^3 but isn’t the standard way to present it.