Simplify the quotient (4.5 x 10^3) / (9 x 10^7). Write your answer in scientific notation. Show your work.

To answer the problem above, divide the numerical portion and the exponential portion of the given numbers. 4.5 divided by 9 is 0.5. Furthermore, 10^3 divided by 10^7 is 10^-4. The answer is

0.5 x 10^-4

This may still be written in a standard form,

5 x 10^-5

Thus, the answer is 5 x 10^-5.