To find how to write 26.5 billion in scientific notation, let's break down the problem step by step:
1. Understanding the Number:
- 26.5 billion can be written as 26.5 x 10^9 in standard form (because a billion is 10^9).
2. Scientific Notation:
- Scientific notation expresses numbers as a product of a number between 1 and 10 and a power of 10.
- To convert 26.5 x 10^9 into scientific notation, we need to make the coefficient (the number in front) between 1 and 10.
3. Adjusting the Coefficient:
- 26.5 is not between 1 and 10, so we need to adjust it.
- We can express 26.5 as 2.65 x 10^1.
- Now we combine this with the existing power of 10: (2.65 x 10^1) x 10^9.
4. Combining the Exponents:
- When multiplying powers of 10, we add the exponents:
[tex]\[
(2.65 \cdot 10^1) \cdot 10^9 = 2.65 \cdot 10^{(1+9)} = 2.65 \cdot 10^{10}
\][/tex]
Therefore, the correct way to write 26.5 billion in scientific notation is [tex]\( 2.65 \cdot 10^{10} \)[/tex].
Hence, the correct answer is:
B. [tex]\( 2.65 \cdot 10^{10} \)[/tex]
