1. The problem is to write the number 862 in scientific notation. 2. Scientific notation expresses a number as $a \times 10^n$ where $1 \leq |a| < 10$ and $n$ is an integer. 3. To convert 862, move the decimal point so that only one non-zero digit remains to the left: $862 = 8.62 \times 10^2$. 4. Here, $a = 8.62$ and $n = 2$ because the decimal point moved 2 places to the left. 5. Therefore, the scientific notation of 862 is: $$862 = 8.62 \times 10^2$$