Which option is a correct scientific notation for 360,000?

Which option is a correct scientific notation for 360,000?

• A. 3.6 x 10^5
• B. 36 x 10^4
• C. 360 x 10^3
• D. 0.36 x 10^6

Answer: (A)

In scientific notation, a number is written as a × 10^n with a between 1 and 10. For 360,000, move the decimal five places to the left to get 3.6, and compensate with 10^5, giving 3.6 × 10^5. This keeps the coefficient within 1–10 and equals the original value (3.6 × 100,000 = 360,000). The other options have coefficients outside the 1–10 range (36 × 10^4, 360 × 10^3) or a coefficient less than 1 (0.36 × 10^6); the latter is not in standard form unless rewritten as 3.6 × 10^5.

In scientific notation, a number is written as a × 10^n with a between 1 and 10. For 360,000, move the decimal five places to the left to get 3.6, and compensate with 10^5, giving 3.6 × 10^5. This keeps the coefficient within 1–10 and equals the original value (3.6 × 100,000 = 360,000). The other options have coefficients outside the 1–10 range (36 × 10^4, 360 × 10^3) or a coefficient less than 1 (0.36 × 10^6); the latter is not in standard form unless rewritten as 3.6 × 10^5.