Entire number make up the order of magnitude or just the decimal place

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In summary, an order of magnitude is a way to describe the size or scale of a number or quantity by counting the number of digits from left to right. To determine the order of magnitude, count the digits in the number excluding any leading or trailing zeros. The order of magnitude is based on the entire number, including both the digits before and after the decimal place. Even numbers with a decimal place can have an order of magnitude. Knowing the order of magnitude can help with understanding the scale of a quantity and making estimations or comparisons.
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billabuwl50
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So, does the entire number make up the order of magnitude or just the decimal places. I don't understand
 
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  • #2
What a strange statement! What number are you talking about? What "decimal places"? Do you know the definition of "order of magnitude"?
 
  • #3
For example if I have 3.4 and .1, are these numbers of the same order of magnitude because they both go into the tenths place 10^-1, or are they different orders of magnitude because 3.4 is much larger than .1?
 

FAQ: Entire number make up the order of magnitude or just the decimal place

What is an order of magnitude?

An order of magnitude is a way to describe the size or scale of a number or quantity. It represents the number of digits in a number, counting from left to right. For example, the number 10,000 has an order of magnitude of 4, while 0.001 has an order of magnitude of -3.

How do you determine the order of magnitude of a number?

To determine the order of magnitude of a number, count the number of digits in the number, excluding any leading or trailing zeros. This will give you a positive or negative value that represents the order of magnitude.

Is the order of magnitude based on the entire number or just the decimal place?

The order of magnitude is based on the entire number, including both the digits before and after the decimal place. It represents the overall size of the number, rather than just a specific part of it.

Can a number have a decimal place and still have an order of magnitude?

Yes, a number can have a decimal place and still have an order of magnitude. The order of magnitude takes into account the digits before and after the decimal place, so any number with digits on both sides of the decimal point will have an order of magnitude.

What is the significance of knowing the order of magnitude of a number?

Knowing the order of magnitude of a number allows us to quickly understand the scale or size of a quantity. It can also help with making estimations or approximations, as well as comparing numbers to see which one is larger or smaller.

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