To determine which number is equivalent to [tex]\( 72.5 \times 10^{-2} \)[/tex], we can follow these steps:
1. Identify the exponent notation:
[tex]\( 72.5 \times 10^{-2} \)[/tex] means we need to move the decimal point 2 places to the left because the exponent [tex]\(-2\)[/tex] indicates a negative power of 10.
2. Move the decimal point 2 places to the left in the number 72.5:
- Starting with 72.5, the decimal point is after the 2, which can be written as [tex]\( 72.5 \)[/tex].
- Moving the decimal point one place to the left gives us 7.25.
- Moving the decimal point one more place to the left gives us 0.725.
Therefore, the number equivalent to [tex]\( 72.5 \times 10^{-2} \)[/tex] is [tex]\(\boxed{0.725}\)[/tex].