To convert the number 0.000048 into scientific notation, we follow these steps:
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Move the decimal point to the right until we have a number between 1 and 10. For 0.000048, we move the decimal point 4 places to the right to get 4.8.
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Count the number of places the decimal was moved. In this case, it was moved 4 places to the right, which means we will use a negative exponent.
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Write the number in the form of \( a \times 10^n \), where \( a \) is the number obtained after moving the decimal and \( n \) is the exponent we determined.
Putting it all together, we have:
\[ 0.000048 = 4.8 \times 10^{-5} \]
So, in scientific notation, \( 0.000048 \) can be expressed as \( 4.8 \times 10^{-5} \).