Which of the following is a method of expressing extremely large or small numbers using powers of ten?

Scientific notation is a method used to express very large or very small numbers in a compact form by utilizing powers of ten. This notation simplifies calculations and comparisons of such numbers. In scientific notation, a number is expressed as a product of a coefficient (usually between 1 and 10) and a power of ten. For example, the number 5,000 can be written as (5.0 \times 10^3), while 0.00023 can be represented as (2.3 \times 10^{-4}). This way of writing ensures easier interpretation and avoids extensive writing of zeros.

In contrast, other methods such as common fractions and decimal notation do not systematically manage the wide range of number sizes in the same efficient manner. Common fractions express quantities as ratios but do not inherently convey size magnitude as clearly as scientific notation. Decimal notation can represent large or small numbers but lacks the clarity and simplicity offered by placing them in terms of powers of ten. Graphical representation involves visualizing data, which can help in comparing sizes but does not provide a numerical format for precise calculations.