[tex]5.39 \times 10^{-44} \text{ seconds}[/tex]

a) If you converted this number to an ordinary number, how many digits would it have?



Answer :

Certainly! Let's go through the steps to convert the given scientific notation \( 5.39 \times 10^{-44} \) into an ordinary number and determine how many digits it has.

### Step-by-Step Solution

1. Understand the Scientific Notation:
The number \( 5.39 \times 10^{-44} \) means we need to move the decimal point in the number 5.39 forty-four places to the left.

2. Convert to Ordinary Number:
When we move the decimal point forty-four places to the left from 5.39:
[tex]\[ 5.39 \times 10^{-44} = 0.0000000000000000000000000000000000000000001 \][/tex]
Here, there are 43 zeros after the decimal point followed by the digit 1.

3. Count Significant Digits:
Now, count the digits in the ordinary number, excluding the decimal point and leading zeros. The ordinary number \( 0.0000000000000000000000000000000000000000001 \) has only one significant digit, which is '1'.

So, the ordinary number has 1 significant digit.

4. Summary of Digits:
- Ordinary form: \( 0.0000000000000000000000000000000000000000001 \)
- Number of digits: 1

Thus, when the number [tex]\( 5.39 \times 10^{-44} \)[/tex] is converted to an ordinary number, it has 1 digit.