What is the scientific notation for 5,280 feet?

What is the scientific notation for 5,280 feet?

• A. 5.28 x 10^-3 feet
• B. 5.28 x 10^4 feet
• C. 5.28 x 10^3 feet
• D. 0.528 x 10^4 feet

Answer: (C)

Express numbers in scientific notation by writing them as a coefficient between 1 and 10 multiplied by a power of ten. To turn 5,280 into this form, move the decimal three places to the left to get 5.28, and multiply by 10^3 to compensate (since 5.28 × 1000 = 5,280). The coefficient 5.28 is between 1 and 10, so 5.28 × 10^3 feet is the standard scientific notation for 5,280 feet. Other forms either misplace the decimal so the value changes (like 5.28 × 10^-3, which would be 0.00528) or use a coefficient not in the 1–10 range (such as 0.528 × 10^4, which is equivalent but not in standard form).

Express numbers in scientific notation by writing them as a coefficient between 1 and 10 multiplied by a power of ten. To turn 5,280 into this form, move the decimal three places to the left to get 5.28, and multiply by 10^3 to compensate (since 5.28 × 1000 = 5,280). The coefficient 5.28 is between 1 and 10, so 5.28 × 10^3 feet is the standard scientific notation for 5,280 feet. Other forms either misplace the decimal so the value changes (like 5.28 × 10^-3, which would be 0.00528) or use a coefficient not in the 1–10 range (such as 0.528 × 10^4, which is equivalent but not in standard form).