What would be the proper scientific notation for 0.000439?
439 * 10-6 or 4.39 * 10-4
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What would be the proper scientific notation for 0.000439?
439 * 10-6 or 4.39 * 10-4
the latter, although I always type E-4 for short
439E-6 would be more appropriate in the context of engineering but 4.39E-4 is the proper scientific notation.
4.39E-4
because the number is always represented like xEy
where 0<=|x|<10
:wave:
I'm guessing thats meant to be:
1<=|x|<10
I think no as for 0 we need to write 0 so
0 <=
but we only use xEy when x is not 0Quote:
Originally posted by sw_is_great
I think no as for 0 we need to write 0 so
0 <=
How about 0< x <10. :lol: No way x could be equal to 0. x * 10-y would end up being 0.
0< x <10 would be self defeating, the reason we use an integer exponent is a compromise between simplicity and supplement to our existing sense for logaritmic measures, but with the above you can't choose an exponent systematically.Quote:
[i]Originally posted by Dilenger4 How about 0< x <10. :lol:
y=1 worksQuote:
No way x could be equal to 0. x * 10-y would end up being 0.
Im a bit confused. :confused: Are you refering to exponent as being xEy or xEy.Quote:
Posted by kedaman
0< x <10 would be self defeating, the reason we use an integer exponent is a compromise between simplicity and supplement to our existing sense for logaritmic measures, but with the above you can't choose an exponent systematically.
When i was refering to 0< x <10 i was basically trying to say if x was 0< x <1. If x was equal to zero as someone else pointed out what would be the point. :lol:
exponent is the latter. x is refered to as factor.
Not sure what you're trying to say though, I'm saying that 0<x<1 would enable us to choose any y up from the logaritm of the number to be expressed which would not be systematic.Quote:
When i was refering to 0< x <10 i was basically trying to say if x was 0< x <1.
Right. Of course. :DQuote:
Posted by kedaman
exponent is the latter. x is refered to as factor.
I was getting confused because you mentioned the reasons why an integer exponent is used but i was not refering to the exponent part. Im not sure what you mean by not being able to choose an exponent systematically when 0<x<1. Below all except the first use a fractional factor. So what would be nonsystematic about the exponent of the last three? :ehh:
1 * 10-6
0.1 * 10-5
0.01 * 10-4
0.001 * 10-3
by choosing systematically i mean that there is only one way of doing it.