0.000006 in scientific notation
Understand the Problem
The question is asking to express the number 0.000006 in scientific notation, which involves converting it into a format that represents numbers as a coefficient multiplied by a power of ten.
Answer
$6.0 \times 10^{-6}$
Answer for screen readers
The number 0.000006 in scientific notation is $6.0 \times 10^{-6}$.
Steps to Solve
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Identify the significant figures
The first step in converting to scientific notation is to identify the significant figures in the number 0.000006. Here, the significant figure is 6. -
Determine the coefficient
Next, we need to express this number in terms of a coefficient times a power of ten. The coefficient must be a number between 1 and 10. For 0.000006, we can write it as:
$$ 6.0 $$ -
Determine the exponent
Now we need to determine the exponent of 10 that will allow the coefficient to represent the original number. Since we moved the decimal point 6 places to the right (from 0.000006 to 6.0), the power of ten is negative:
$$ 10^{-6} $$ -
Combine the coefficient and exponent
Finally, combine the coefficient and the exponent to express the original number in scientific notation: $$ 0.000006 = 6.0 \times 10^{-6} $$
The number 0.000006 in scientific notation is $6.0 \times 10^{-6}$.
More Information
Scientific notation is a convenient way to express very small or very large numbers. It simplifies calculations and makes it easier to read and write. For example, in scientific fields, many quantities are expressed in this format.
Tips
- Ignoring significant figures: Remember to write the coefficient in the correct format (between 1 and 10).
- Incorrectly determining the exponent: Ensure to count the number of places you move the decimal point correctly, and use a negative exponent for small numbers.
