What does the term “scientific notation” usually involve?

The term "scientific notation" specifically refers to the method of expressing large numbers in a more manageable form, particularly useful in scientific and mathematical contexts. This notation represents a number as the product of a coefficient—typically a number greater than or equal to 1 and less than 10—and a power of ten. For example, the number 6,500 can be expressed in scientific notation as 6.5 x 10^3. This format allows for easier calculations and comparisons, especially when dealing with very large or very small figures.

In contrast, the other options do not accurately capture the essence of scientific notation. While averages relate to statistical data, they do not pertain to how numbers are expressed. The idea of writing whole numbers more extensively is misleading, as scientific notation is intended to simplify rather than complicate the representation of numbers. Lastly, graphing results in a different format does not relate to the concept of scientific notation, as graphing is a separate mathematical skill focused on visual representation rather than numerical expression.