Question

The speed of light in a vacuum is approximately 299,500,000 meters per second. In scientific notation, we can write this number as a × 10b . what does a & b equal?

Answer 1

Answer: The value of a is 2.955 and value of b is 8.

Explanation:

Scientific notation is defined as the notation in which a number is expressed in the decimal form. This means that the number is always written in the power of 10 form. The numerical digit lies between 0.1.... to 9.9.....

If the decimal is shifting to right side, the power of 10 is negative and if the decimal is shifting to left side, the power of 10 is positive.

We are given:

Speed of light in vacuum = 299,500,000 m/s

Converting this into scientific notation, we get:

$\Rightarrow 295,500,000=2.955\times 10^{8}m/s$

As, the decimal point is shifting to left side, thus the power of 10 is positive.

Comparing the calculated value to the given number, which is:

Number = $a\times 10^b$

Hence, the value of a is 2.955 and value of b is 8.