Question

2.
Which of the following would be a reasonable estimate for the height of a skyscraper?

a 1 × 10squared by -8 feet
b 1 × 10squared by 8 feet
c 1 × 10squared by -3 feet
d 1 × 10squared by 3 feet

Answer 1

B

Answer 2

and it's not "squared by", it's "to the power of"

Answer 3

It is not "squared by".
"squared" applies ONLY to the number 2.
You can notate exponentiation with this guy "^".

a 1 × 10^-8 feet
b 1 × 10^8 feet
c 1 × 10^-3 feet
d 1 × 10^3 feet

That being said, give it a little thought with the understanding of the notation.

a 1 × 10^-8 feet = 0.00000001 ft = 0.00000012 in = 30.48 Angstroms - VERY SHORT building. Actually, rather large for an atom.

b 1 × 10^8 feet = 100000000 ft = 18,939 miles - It will not get you to the moon, but you ARE on your way.

c 1 × 10^-3 feet = 0.001 ft = 0.012 in - Still pretty short, but you can SEE this one.

d 1 × 10^3 feet = 1000 ft - That's about 2/3 of the Empire State Building.

I'm going with D.