Question

How do I solve
(1.5 x 10^-2)/(3 x 10^-4)

Answer 1

\[\frac{ (1.5 x 10^-2) }{ (3 x 10^-4) }\]

Answer 2

first you got the the whole thing upside down

Answer 3

How so? that's how the question is in the textbook.

Answer 4

how you solve it is different
:)

Answer 5

you cannont have
- exponents

Answer 6

flip it around

Answer 7

I'm confused.

Answer 8

(3 x 10^4)/(1.5 x 10^2)

Answer 9

exponents are now positive

Answer 10

do you know how to use scientific notation?

Answer 11

Wait. so if the textbook shows a negative exponent, I just make it positive?

Answer 12

Oh I see what you did there.

Answer 13

I got 2 x 10^2

Book shows 5.0 x 10^1

Answer 14

well that makes more sense


1.5/3 = 0.5

10^(-2 + 4) = 10^2

so 0.5 x 10^2 = 5 x 10^1

Answer 15

Well now I'm just even more confused :c...

Answer 16

3 x 10^4 calculate this = amount
------------ ---------- = answer
1.5 x 10^2 calculate this = amount

Answer 17

ok... here is what you need...

when dividing the same base subtract the powers

\[\frac{x^a}{x^b} = x^{a - b}\]

is is what you need for the powers of 10

\[\frac{10^{-2}}{10^{-4}} = 10^{-2 - -4} = 10^2\]

then the actual number part is

\[\frac{1.5}{3} = 0.5\]

so combining this you get the answer

\[0.5 \times 10^2\]

now in scientific notation you need a number between 1 and 10... so 0.5 isn't in scientific notation.

so multiply it by 10

\[10^2 = 10^1 \times 10^1\]

so your answer is

\[0.5 \times 10^1 \times 10^1 = 5 \times 10^1\]

Answer 18

Thank you campbell, I get it now.