To find which of the given numbers is equivalent to [tex]\(5.1 \times 10^{-2}\)[/tex], we'll convert the scientific notation into its decimal form step-by-step.
1. Start with the number in scientific notation: [tex]\(5.1 \times 10^{-2}\)[/tex].
2. The term [tex]\(10^{-2}\)[/tex] means dividing by [tex]\(100\)[/tex] (since [tex]\(10^{-2} = \frac{1}{100}\)[/tex]).
3. To multiply [tex]\(5.1\)[/tex] by [tex]\(10^{-2}\)[/tex], think of moving the decimal point two places to the left. This is because the exponent [tex]\(-2\)[/tex] indicates that the decimal point moves left by two positions.
4. Moving the decimal two places to the left from [tex]\(5.1\)[/tex] gives us [tex]\(0.051\)[/tex].
So, the number [tex]\(5.1 \times 10^{-2}\)[/tex] is equivalent to [tex]\(0.051\)[/tex].
Therefore, the correct answer is:
B. 0.051
