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

Answer 1

To express each of the numbers in scientific notation:

1. 123,893 can be written as \(1.23893 \times 10^5\).
2. 31,892 can be written as \(3.1892 \times 10^4\).
3. 12,786 can be written as \(1.2786 \times 10^4\).

Now let's compare them:

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

Since \(10^5\) is greater than \(10^4\), we know \(123,893\) is the largest.

Now, comparing the two numbers that are in the same power of ten:

• \(3.1892 \times 10^4\)
• \(1.2786 \times 10^4\)

Here, \(1.2786 < 3.1892\), so \(12,786\) has the least value.

Therefore, the number with the least value is:

\[ \boxed{1.2786 \times 10^4} \]