A number written in scientific notation has the form a×10k, where 1≤a<10 and k is an integer, that is, k is one of ...−3,−2,−1,0,1,2,3.... Part A Determine the values of a and k when 299,790,000 is written in scientific notation. Enter a and k, separated by commas.

Scientific notation or standard form refers to a way of writing very large and very small numbers for easier comparison and also use in computations.
To write a number in this form, we follow the form;

N × 10ᵃ

Where N is a number between 1 and 10, and "a" is an integer, positive or negative number.

This is achieved by moving the decimal point of a number either left or right until the new form is a number from 1 up to 10 (N) and 'a" is the number of places the decimal was moved.

For instance;

Very small numbers.

Example; 0.0000000234

The decimal place will be moved towards the right 8 places. In this case the exponent will be negative.

Thus; the scientific notation is; 2.34 × 10⁻⁸

Very large numbers

Example; 7689400

The decimal place will be moved to the left 7 places. In this case the exponent will be positive.

Therefore; the scientific notation will be; 7.6894 × 10⁷

In the question.

The number is 299,790,000

Therefore, the decimal point will be moved to the left 8 places, therefore the exponent will be positive.

Therefore; the scientific notation will be; 2.9979 × 10⁸

Thus , the value of a is 2.9979 and that of k is 8

Keywords; Scientific notation

Learn more about:

Level: Middle school

Subject: Mathematics

Topic: Standard form/scientific notation

Sub-topic: Writing numbers in scientific notation