Simplify as far as possible

Question

anonymous · Answer

$$\frac{ 10^{-7} \times 10^{3}}{10^{2} }$$

whpalmer4 · Answer

Okay, two things to remember:

When you have exponents with the same base:

$$x^n*x*m = x^{n+m}$$
$$\frac{x^n}{x^m} = x^{n-m}$$

With those two formulas, you can simplify that to $10^n$ where $n$ is some number.

whpalmer4 · Answer

Ackthpht.  $$x^n*x^m = x^{n+m}$$

anonymous · Answer

Ok so the answer is 10^2 thanks for the help whpalmer it is much appreciated!

whpalmer4 · Answer

Oh, it appears I didn't help as much as I could have...that's not the right answer :-(

What does $10^{-7}*10^3 =$

anonymous · Answer

ah 10^-3 so the answer is 10^-5?

whpalmer4 · Answer

No guessing, let's get this right.

$$10^{-7}*10^{3} = 10^{-7+3} = $$

whpalmer4 · Answer

Identical bases, you just add the exponents...

whpalmer4 · Answer

-7 + 3 =

anonymous · Answer

my mistake it's -4

whpalmer4 · Answer

Right.  Now the division:
$$\frac{10^{-4}}{10^2}=$$
Identical bases, so we subtract:
$$10^{-4-2} = $$

anonymous · Answer

yep so the answer is 10^-6

whpalmer4 · Answer

Bingo!

whpalmer4 · Answer

Guys named William have to watch out each other, right? :-)