Use scientific notation to determine which of these numbers has the least value: 123,893, 31,892, or 12,786. Write your answer in scientific notation, expressed to the exact decimal place. (1 point)

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Answer 1

To express the numbers 123,893, 31,892, and 12,786 in scientific notation, we convert each number as follows:

1. 123,893:

   • Move the decimal point 5 places to the left: \(1.23893 \times 10^5\)

2. 31,892:

   • Move the decimal point 4 places to the left: \(3.1892 \times 10^4\)

3. 12,786:

   • Move the decimal point 3 places to the left: \(1.2786 \times 10^4\)

Now, we compare the values in scientific notation:

• \(1.23893 \times 10^5\) (which is equal to 123,893)
• \(3.1892 \times 10^4\) (which is equal to 31,892)
• \(1.2786 \times 10^4\) (which is equal to 12,786)

Since \(10^5\) is greater than \(10^4\), we can see that \(1.23893 \times 10^5\) is the largest number. Between the two numbers with \(10^4\):

• \(3.1892 \times 10^4\) is greater than \(1.2786 \times 10^4\).

Thus, the number with the least value is \(12,786\).

The scientific notation for 12,786 is: \[ \boxed{1.2786 \times 10^4} \]