# Which one is valid below? Is '5.42 X 10^5' equal to 542000. X 10^1 or 542000. X 10^0

#### Indranil

##### Junior Member
'5.42 X 10^5' this is the number in scientific notation. I rewrite the number below in two forms. Please tell me which one is correct
1. 542000. X 10^1
2. 542000. X 10^0

#### HallsofIvy

##### Elite Member
$$\displaystyle 10^5= 100000$$ (the exponent if 5 so there are 5 zeros).
$$\displaystyle 5.42\times 10^5= 5.42\times 100000$$.

Move the decimal point in 5.42 to the right five places. Moving it two places gives 542 so three more places is 542000. That is the same as $$\displaystyle 542000\times 1= 542000\times 10^0$$.

#### Indranil

##### Junior Member
$$\displaystyle 10^5= 100000$$ (the exponent if 5 so there are 5 zeros).
$$\displaystyle 5.42\times 10^5= 5.42\times 100000$$.

Move the decimal point in 5.42 to the right five places. Moving it two places gives 542 so three more places is 542000. That is the same as $$\displaystyle 542000\times 1= 542000\times 10^0$$.
Thanks a lot