Question

what is the scientific notation for .5401

Answer 1

Answer:

$5.401$ × $10^{-1}$

If you move the decimal point to the right, the exponent (to the power of 10) will be negative.

If you move the decimal point to the left, the exponent (to the power of 10) will be positive.

The decimal point has to be moved until the digit to the left of the decimal point is not zero.  Then, your answer will be that number times 10 to the power of the number of times you moved the decimal point WHEN YOU ARE MOVING THE DECIMAL POINT TO THE RIGHT.

Ex:  0.00005207

= 5.207 × $10^{-5}$

(The decimal point has to be moved five times to the right to ensure that a digit that is not zero is on the left side of the decimal point.)