What is the scientific notation for 0.29?

Answer 1

It would be 2.9 x 10^-1 as 2 is the 1st number between 1-9 and in order to reach it, the decimal is moved 1 place to the right, making the exponent -1 and 2.9.

If the decimal were moved to the left then this would have made the exponent or power positive. This exponent is always being raised by a base of 10.

The exponent is equivalent to the number of moves needed to reach the 1st number that is nonzero and between 1-9. Regardless of how many numbers between 1-9 there are, count the spaces needed to reach the first, and from there, the others can be attached. For instance,

0.29857565452 --> 2.9857565452 x 10^-1

and going in the other direction,

2582 --> 2.582 x 10^3

These attached numbers can also be rounded. Simply avoid the base 10 and round the numbers as one would depending on what is being asked for.

Hopefully that helps.