Convert 0.0012 to scientific notation.

Convert 0.0012 to scientific notation.

• A. 1.2 × 10^3
• B. 1.2 × 10^-3
• C. 0.12 × 10^-3
• D. 1.2 × 10^-4

Answer: (B)

Expressing a decimal in scientific notation means writing it as a number between 1 and 10 multiplied by a power of ten. For 0.0012, you move the decimal point until you have a single nonzero digit to the left of the decimal, giving 1.2. Since you moved the decimal three places to the right to reach 1.2, you attach a power of ten with a negative exponent: 10^-3. So 0.0012 = 1.2 × 10^-3. Checking: 1.2 × 10^-3 equals 0.0012. Other forms would either overshoot or undershoot the value (for example, 1.2 × 10^3 is 1200, and 1.2 × 10^-4 is 0.00012), so the correct notation is 1.2 × 10^-3.

Expressing a decimal in scientific notation means writing it as a number between 1 and 10 multiplied by a power of ten. For 0.0012, you move the decimal point until you have a single nonzero digit to the left of the decimal, giving 1.2. Since you moved the decimal three places to the right to reach 1.2, you attach a power of ten with a negative exponent: 10^-3. So 0.0012 = 1.2 × 10^-3. Checking: 1.2 × 10^-3 equals 0.0012. Other forms would either overshoot or undershoot the value (for example, 1.2 × 10^3 is 1200, and 1.2 × 10^-4 is 0.00012), so the correct notation is 1.2 × 10^-3.