To convert the number 0.00000037 into scientific notation, follow these steps:
1. Identify the Significant Figures:
The given number is 0.00000037. The significant figures in this number are 3 and 7.
2. Place the Decimal Point:
To express 0.00000037 in scientific notation, we need to place the decimal point after the first significant figure. Therefore, we rewrite the number as 3.7.
3. Determine the Exponential Part:
Next, we need to count how many places the decimal point has been moved from its original position to just after the 3. In the number 0.00000037, the decimal point needs to move 7 places to the right to get from 0.00000037 to 3.7.
4. Formulate it in Scientific Notation:
Since we moved the decimal point 7 places to the right, it means we are dealing with a negative exponent. Hence, the exponent will be -7.
5. Write the Number in Scientific Notation:
Combining the significant figure part (3.7) with the exponent part (10^-7), we get the scientific notation for 0.00000037 as:
[tex]\[
3.7 \times 10^{-7}
\][/tex]
Therefore, the correct option is:
[tex]\[
3.7 \times 10^{-7}
\][/tex]
Which corresponds to option 4.
