Arrange the following values from least to greatest.

The correct sequence from least to greatest is:

620

8,500

1.2 \times 10^4

3.0 \times 10^5

By converting all values to standard form, it is clear that

620

is the smallest, followed by

8,500

, then

12,000

(which is

1.2 \times 10^4

), and finally

300,000

(which is

3.0 \times 10^5

Convert all values to standard numerical form to easily compare their sizes.

The values become:

12,000

(from item 1),

620

(from item 2),

300,000

(from item 3), and

8,500

(from item 4).

Translating scientific notation into standard form allows for direct visual comparison of digit lengths and magnitudes.

Group and compare the numbers by their total number of digits.

620

has three digits,

8,500

has four digits,

12,000

has five digits, and

300,000

has six digits.

For whole positive numbers, a value with fewer digits is always smaller than a value with more digits.

Order the values sequentially starting from the smallest.

The final order is

620

8,500

12,000

300,000

This establishes the ascending sequence requested by the question.

Comparing Magnitudes in Standard and Scientific Notation

Instead of using standard form, you can convert all numbers to scientific notation:

6.2 \times 10^2

8.5 \times 10^3

1.2 \times 10^4

3.0 \times 10^5

. Because the exponents (

2, 3, 4, 5

) are already in ascending order, you can immediately determine the correct sequence without looking at the coefficients.

Estimated Time:45s

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