Which of the following expresses 4.8 in scientific notation?

• A. 4.8 × 10^{0}
• B. 0.48 × 10^{1}
• C. 4.8 × 10^{1}
• D. 48 × 10^{-1}

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that scientific notation expresses a number as a product of a number between 1 and 10 and a power of 10, in the form \(a \times 10^{n}\) where \$1 \leq a < 10\( and \)n$ is an integer.
2. Look at the given number, 4.8, and check if it already fits the form where the coefficient \(a\) is between 1 and 10. Since 4.8 is between 1 and 10, it can be written as \$4.8 \times 10^{0}\( because multiplying by \)10^{0}$ equals 1.
3. Examine the other options by rewriting them in standard decimal form to see if they equal 4.8: for example, \$0.48 \times 10^{1} = 4.8\(, \)4.8 \times 10^{1} = 48\(, and \)48 \times 10^{-1} = 4.8$.
4. Identify which of these options have the coefficient between 1 and 10. Only \$4.8 \times 10^{0}$ meets the strict definition of scientific notation because the coefficient must be at least 1 but less than 10.
5. Conclude that the correct scientific notation for 4.8 is \$4.8 \times 10^{0}$, as it follows the proper format and equals the original number.