document.write( "<A HREF=/cgi-bin/jump-to-question.mpl?question=1197117>Question 1197117</A>: <I><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> The protein-coding strand of the average human gene consists of 1,350 nucleotides. Assuming that each nucleotide can take any of four values (A, T, C, or G), how many different genes with exactly 1,350 nucleotides are possible?<BR>\n" );
document.write( " </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</I><HR><TABLE width=100%><TR><TD><B><A HREF=http://www.algebra.com/>Algebra.Com's</A> Answer #830237 by </B><A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=math_tutor2020><B>math_tutor2020(3816)</B></A><img src=\"/images/stars/stars-13.gif\" alt=\"\" >&nbsp;<A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=math_tutor2020><IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/images/aboutme-small.gif BORDER=0 alt=\"About Me\" VALIGN=MIDDLE></A>&nbsp;<IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/images/nopicture.jpg><BR>You can <A HREF=\"/cgi-bin/embed-solution.mpl?show=1&solution=830237\">put this solution on YOUR website!</A><BR><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> <font color=black size=3><BR>\n" );
document.write( "There are 4 choices for slot 1, then 4 choices for slot 2, then 4 choices for slot 3, and so on. We continue this pattern having 4 choices until reaching slot 1350\r<BR>\n" );
document.write( "<BR>\n" );
document.write( "\n" );
document.write( "We'll have 1350 copies of \"4\" multiplied together<BR>\n" );
document.write( "4*4*4*...*4 = 4^1350 <BR>\n" );
document.write( "Exponents are very useful to represent repeated multiplication.\r<BR>\n" );
document.write( "<BR>\n" );
document.write( "\n" );
document.write( "My calculator says \"overflow\" when trying to calculate 4^1350<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Your calculator may have the same result. \r<BR>\n" );
document.write( "<BR>\n" );
document.write( "\n" );
document.write( "When using WolframAlpha, it says<BR>\n" );
document.write( "4^1350 = 6.039*10^812<BR>\n" );
document.write( "which is approximate.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "This helps show how massive this number really is<BR>\n" );
document.write( "The 812 exponent means \"move the decimal point in 6.039 exactly 812 spaces to the right\". This large number will have 812-3 = 809 zeros after the 6039 string<BR>\n" );
document.write( "I.e. it's roughly 6039 followed by 809 zeros. <BR>\n" );
document.write( "Something like 1 billion = 1,000,000,000 = 1 followed by 9 zeros to try to get a sense of scale.\r<BR>\n" );
document.write( "<BR>\n" );
document.write( "\n" );
document.write( "In any event, I would write the answer as 4^1350 as it's easier to think about. <BR>\n" );
document.write( "Ask your teacher for further clarification.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "</font>\r<BR>\n" );
document.write( "<BR>\n" );
document.write( "<BR>\n" );
document.write( "\n" );
document.write( "</font> </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</TD></TR></TABLE>\n" );