Which representation expresses 1234 in scientific notation?

Which representation expresses 1234 in scientific notation?

• A. 0.1234
• B. 0.1234 x 10^3
• C. 1.234 x 10^3
• D. 1234 x 10^1

Answer: (C)

In scientific notation, a number is written as a × 10^n where the coefficient a is between 1 and 10. To express 1234, move the decimal three places to the left to get 1.234, and then use 10^3 to account for that shift. So 1234 equals 1.234 × 10^3. The other forms don’t match 1234: 0.1234 is far too small, and 0.1234 × 10^3 equals 123.4; 1234 × 10^1 equals 12,340. Therefore the correct representation is 1.234 × 10^3.

In scientific notation, a number is written as a × 10^n where the coefficient a is between 1 and 10. To express 1234, move the decimal three places to the left to get 1.234, and then use 10^3 to account for that shift. So 1234 equals 1.234 × 10^3.

The other forms don’t match 1234: 0.1234 is far too small, and 0.1234 × 10^3 equals 123.4; 1234 × 10^1 equals 12,340. Therefore the correct representation is 1.234 × 10^3.