In scientific notation, what must the coefficient be between?

In scientific notation, what must the coefficient be between?

• A. Between 0 and 1
• B. Between 1 and 5
• C. Between 10 and 100
• D. Between 1 and 10

Answer: (D)

In scientific notation, numbers are written as a × 10^n with a chosen so that the coefficient sits in a standard, easy-to-compare range. That means the coefficient is between 1 and 10 (specifically 1 ≤ a < 10). This normalization gives a single digit before the decimal point and makes it simple to compare magnitudes across numbers. For example, 4500 becomes 4.5 × 10^3, not 45 × 10^2. A coefficient between 0 and 1 isn’t the conventional normalized form, and a coefficient between 10 and 100 would exceed the allowed range, requiring an unnecessary adjustment of the exponent.

In scientific notation, numbers are written as a × 10^n with a chosen so that the coefficient sits in a standard, easy-to-compare range. That means the coefficient is between 1 and 10 (specifically 1 ≤ a < 10). This normalization gives a single digit before the decimal point and makes it simple to compare magnitudes across numbers. For example, 4500 becomes 4.5 × 10^3, not 45 × 10^2. A coefficient between 0 and 1 isn’t the conventional normalized form, and a coefficient between 10 and 100 would exceed the allowed range, requiring an unnecessary adjustment of the exponent.