What is the average width of a red blood cell in scientific notation?

What is the average width of a red blood cell in scientific notation?

• A. 6 x 10^-3 m
• B. 8 x 10^-3 m
• C. Between 6 x 10^-6 m and 8 x 10^-6 m
• D. 6 x 10^-6 m

Answer: (C)

Red blood cells are about a few micrometers across, and one micrometer equals 1 x 10^-6 meters. So a typical diameter of about 6–8 micrometers translates to 6 x 10^-6 to 8 x 10^-6 meters. Because cells vary in size, the average width is well described as a range rather than a single number. The interval 6 x 10^-6 m to 8 x 10^-6 m matches the usual RBC size, whereas values on the millimeter scale would be far too large for a cell, and a single value ignores natural variation.

Red blood cells are about a few micrometers across, and one micrometer equals 1 x 10^-6 meters. So a typical diameter of about 6–8 micrometers translates to 6 x 10^-6 to 8 x 10^-6 meters. Because cells vary in size, the average width is well described as a range rather than a single number. The interval 6 x 10^-6 m to 8 x 10^-6 m matches the usual RBC size, whereas values on the millimeter scale would be far too large for a cell, and a single value ignores natural variation.