Question

what is 0.0034 written in scientific notation?
a. $3.4 \times 10^{-2}$
b. $3.4 \times 10^{-3}$
c. $3.4 \times 10^{2}$
d. $3.4 \times 10^{3}$

Explanation:

Step1: Recall Scientific Notation

Scientific notation is \( a \times 10^n \), where \( 1 \leq |a| < 10 \) and \( n \) is an integer. For a decimal less than 1, \( n \) is negative, and its absolute value is the number of places the decimal moves to the right to get a number between 1 and 10.

Step2: Analyze 0.0034

For \( 0.0034 \), move the decimal point 3 places to the right to get \( 3.4 \). So \( n = -3 \). Thus, \( 0.0034 = 3.4 \times 10^{-3} \).

Answer:

B. \( 3.4 \times 10^{-3} \)