In an expression a 10b :
- a is order of magnitude for b 5
- b is order of magnitude for a 5
- b is order of magnitude for a 5
- b is order of magnitude for 5 < a 10
Answer
(2) b is order of magnitude for a 5
Solution
Rule: write the number as a 10b and round a to 1 or 10.
If a 5, a rounds to 1, so the order of magnitude is b.
If a > 5, a rounds to 10, so the order of magnitude is b + 1.
(A): the order of magnitude is a power of 10, not a, so (A) is wrong.
(C), (D): for a > 5 the order is b + 1, so (C) and (D) are wrong.
Hence b is the order of magnitude for a 5.
Answer: (2)