Question

answer the following.
(a) a certain solution has a hydrogen ion concentration of 5.89×10⁻⁴ moles per liter. write this number in standard notation.
(b) a blue whale can weigh up to 420,000 pounds. write this number in scientific notation.
(a) moles per l
(b) pounds

Explanation:

Step1: Recall standard - notation rule for negative exponent

For a number in scientific notation $a\times 10^{-n}$ ($n>0$), move the decimal point $n$ places to the left. Given $5.89\times 10^{-4}$, move the decimal point 4 places to the left: $0.000589$.

Step2: Recall scientific - notation rule for large number

For a number like 420000, move the decimal point to the left until there is only one non - zero digit to the left of the decimal point. We get $4.2$. The number of places we moved the decimal point is 5. So, in scientific notation, it is $4.2\times 10^{5}$.

Answer:

(a) 0.000589
(b) $4.2\times 10^{5}$