What does a negative exponent in scientific notation indicate?

Unlock all questions

This demo includes only 20 questions. Upgrade to access hundreds of questions, flashcards, exam simulations, and disable ads.

Full question bankExam simulationsFlashcards
From $9.99Unlock all

Explore Chemistry and Sustainability concepts to master your STEM practice test. Use quizzes, flashcards, and detailed explanations to become exam-ready. Strengthen your skills and understanding for a brighter future in sustainable practices!

Multiple Choice

What does a negative exponent in scientific notation indicate?

Explanation:
A negative exponent means you are using the reciprocal of a power of ten, so the value is divided by 10^n. In scientific notation, the number is a mantissa times 10 raised to an exponent; when the exponent is negative, 10^-n equals 1/10^n, which shifts the decimal point to the left by n places. For example, 3.7 × 10^-2 equals 0.037 because 10^-2 is 1/100. This is why the negative exponent indicates division by 10^n.

A negative exponent means you are using the reciprocal of a power of ten, so the value is divided by 10^n. In scientific notation, the number is a mantissa times 10 raised to an exponent; when the exponent is negative, 10^-n equals 1/10^n, which shifts the decimal point to the left by n places. For example, 3.7 × 10^-2 equals 0.037 because 10^-2 is 1/100. This is why the negative exponent indicates division by 10^n.

More Multiple Choice Questions
Subscribe

Get the latest from Examzify

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy