Great question this one stumped me before also. The answer to this question is C. If you look at how the arrows point to everything under the x axis starting from the zero. That means that every number on the y axis that is less than or equal to zero is the correct answer.
The answer is: [B]: " 3.99 * 10⁻⁶ " .
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Note:
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We are given the following answer choices, and we are asked which one is the "smallest number" :
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[A]: 4.4 * 10⁻⁵
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[B]: 3.99 ⋅ 10⁻⁶
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[C]: 2.6 ⋅ 10²
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[D]: 1.85 ⋅ 10³
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We can rule out answer choices: [C] and [D]; since these values, essentially "direct us" to move the decimal point FORWARD "2 places" and "3 places", respectively; whereas choices [A] and [B] essentially "direct us" to move the decimal point BACKWARD "5 places" and "6 places" respectively. Note that all values given in the answer choices are written in proper "scientific notation" —that is, beginning with a "single integer followed by (a) decimal point(s) and then additional digits (when needed). So, the answer choice that essentially "directs us" to move the decimal point BACKWARD "6 places" —
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→ Answer choice: [B]: " 3.99 * 10⁻⁶ " ;
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is the smallest value ; and as such, the correct answer.
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