Which of the following is the correct scientific notation for 0.000081?

• A. 8.1 imes 10^{-6}
• B. 8.1 imes 10^{-4}
• C. 8.1 imes 10^{5}
• D. 8.1 imes 10^{-5}

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the original number: 0.000081.
2. Count how many places the decimal point must move to the right to get a number between 1 and 10. Here, moving the decimal 5 places to the right changes 0.000081 to 8.1.
3. Since the decimal point was moved 5 places to the right, the exponent on 10 will be negative 5, indicating a small number less than 1.
4. Write the number in scientific notation as \$8.1 \times 10^{-5}$.
5. Compare this with the given options to confirm that \$8.1 \times 10^{-5}$ is the correct scientific notation for 0.000081.