Scientific notation: TEAS Practice Question with Answer & Explanation
An original TEAS 7-style math practice question, written for nursing-school applicants — with a full breakdown of every answer choice.
Question
Which expression is equivalent to 0.00072?
- A.7.2 × 10⁻⁴Correct
- B.7.2 × 10⁻³
- C.72 × 10⁴
- D.0.72 × 10⁴
Correct answer: A. Moving the decimal four places right gives 7.2, so the exponent is -4.
Why A is correct
Moving the decimal four places right gives 7.2, so the exponent is -4.
How to solve this TEAS question
Identify what the question is testing, eliminate choices that conflict with the relevant rule or evidence, and then select the option that directly answers the prompt.
Review the alternatives
The other choices do not satisfy the scientific fact, mathematical operation, language rule, or reading evidence tested by this question. Always compare each option with the exact wording of the prompt before deciding.
Quick study tip: Numbers smaller than 1 use a negative power of ten.
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