A tree is 3212 years old. How can you express this age and scientific notation to the lowest level of precision
To express the age of the tree using scientific notation with the lowest level of precision, we need to determine the significant figures in the given number, which is 3212.
Since there are no decimal points or trailing zeros, we assume that all the digits are significant. Therefore, the number 3212 has four significant figures.
Now, let's express this age in scientific notation:
1. Move the decimal point in 3212 to the right, so that only one non-zero digit remains to the left of the decimal point. This gives us 3.212.
2. Count the number of places you moved the decimal point. Here, it's three places to the right.
3. Rewrite the number 3.212 as 3.212 x 10^3, where 10^3 represents the three places we moved the decimal point to the right.
Thus, the age of the tree 3212 years can be expressed in scientific notation as 3.212 x 10^3.