How do you express the number 2,500,000 in scientific notation?

To express the number 2,500,000 in scientific notation, you want to write it as a product of a number between 1 and 10 and a power of 10. Here’s the step-by-step process:

1. Identify the significant digits: In the number 2,500,000, the significant digits are 2.5. We consider only the digits that are necessary to convey the value without losing precision.
2. Count the number of places the decimal point moves: To convert 2.500000 to 2.5, you move the decimal point 6 places to the left (from after the 2 to between the 2 and the 5).
3. Express it as a power of ten: Moving the decimal point to the left increases the exponent of 10. Since we moved it 6 places, we will use 10⁶.

Putting it all together, 2,500,000 in scientific notation is written as:

2.5 x 10⁶

This format is especially useful in scientific, engineering, and technical contexts, as it simplifies the representation of large numbers, making it easier to read and understand.