Which of the following represents the number 48 in proper scientific notation?

• A. 4.8 × 10^0
• B. 48 × 10^0
• C. 4.8 × 10^1
• D. 0.48 × 10^2

Answer: (C)

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. Identify the given number, which is 48, and recognize that it needs to be rewritten so that the coefficient (the number before the multiplication sign) is between 1 and 10.
3. Rewrite 48 as \$4.8 \times 10^{1}\( because moving the decimal point one place to the left changes 48 to 4.8, and to compensate, multiply by \)10^{1}$.
4. Check the other options: \$4.8 \times 10^{0}\( equals 4.8, which is not 48; \)48 \times 10^{0}\( has a coefficient greater than 10, so it is not proper scientific notation; \)0.48 \times 10^{2}$ has a coefficient less than 1, so it is also not proper scientific notation.
5. Conclude that the correct scientific notation for 48 is \$4.8 \times 10^{1}$ because it meets the criteria of having a coefficient between 1 and 10 and correctly represents the value.