Question

6 dr. morgan has $4.85 \times 10^{-1}$ meters of wire.
she places an equal length of wire into 5 devices.
what is the length of wire, in meters, that will go into each device expressed in scientific notation?
a $97.0 \times 10^{-1}$
b $0.97 \times 10^{1}$
c $9.7 \times 10^{-2}$
d $9.7 \times 10^{2}$
e $0.97 \times 10^{-1}$

Explanation:

Step1: Set up division equation

We divide the total wire length by 5:
$\frac{4.85 \times 10^{-1}}{5}$

Step2: Divide the coefficient first

Calculate $\frac{4.85}{5} = 0.97$

Step3: Adjust to proper scientific notation

Rewrite $0.97 \times 10^{-1}$ to have a coefficient between 1 and 10:
$0.97 \times 10^{-1} = 9.7 \times 10^{-2}$

Answer:

C. $9.7 \times 10^{-2}$