Question

a researcher measured approximately 0.005123 grams of bacteria in a sample. what is the value of the exponent when this number is written in scientific notation?

Explanation:

Step1: Recall scientific - notation form

Scientific notation is $a\times10^{n}$, where $1\leqslant|a|\lt10$ and $n$ is an integer.

Step2: Rewrite 0.005123

To rewrite 0.005123 in scientific - notation, move the decimal point 3 places to the right to get $a = 5.123$. Since we moved the decimal point 3 places to the right, $n=-3$.

Answer:

• 3