SOLUTION: can someone help me please! (6*10^12)(3.2*10^8) over (1.6*10^7)(3*10^2)

Algebra ->  Polynomials-and-rational-expressions -> SOLUTION: can someone help me please! (6*10^12)(3.2*10^8) over (1.6*10^7)(3*10^2)      Log On


   

Question 74273: can someone help me please!
(6*10^12)(3.2*10^8)
over
(1.6*10^7)(3*10^2)
Answer by bucky(2189) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
%28%286%2A10%5E12%29%2A%283.2%2A10%5E8%29%29%2F%28%281.6%2A10%5E7%29%2A%283%2A10%5E2%29%29
.
In the numerator first multiply the numbers together ... 6*3.2 ... to get 19.2. Then because
you are MULTIPLYING 10%5E12 by 10%5E8 you ADD the exponents of 10 to get 10%5E%2812%2B8%29+=+10%5E20.
Putting these products together makes the numerator 19.2%2A10%5E20.
.
Next work the denominator in the same way. Multiply the numbers 1.6*3 to get 4.8. Then because
you are MULTIPLYING 10%5E7 by 10%5E2 you ADD the exponents of 10 to get 10%5E%287%2B2%29+=+10%5E9.
Putting these products together makes the denominator 4.8%2A10%5E9.
.
Now reassemble the problem by placing the multiplied numerator over the multiplied denominator
to get:
.
%2819.2%2A10%5E20%29%2F%284.8%2A10%5E9%29
.
This division is carried out in two parts. First divide the numbers part which is as
follows: 19.2%2F4.8+=+4. Then divide the 10's part. Since dividing is the opposite
of multiplying, when you DIVIDE you SUBTRACT the exponents. So dividing 10%5E20 by
10%5E9 results in 10%5E%2820-9%29+=+10%5E11. Putting these two parts together gives you the
final answer to the problem as 4%2A10%5E11.
.
Hope this helps you understand how to work in scientific notation when you are multiplying and
dividing.