Question

I'm confused

In 2010, the national debt of the United States was about 14 trillion dollars. In 2003 it was 7 × 10^12 dollars. About how many larger was the national debt in 2010 than in 2003?

Answer 1

Hint* A trillion is 10^12

So 14 trillion = 14 times 10^12

\[\large \frac{14 \times 10^{12}}{7 \times 10^{12}} = ?\]

Answer 2

2 × 10

Answer 3

Not quite

Just think about it like this...as I said a trillion can be represented as 10^12

So 14 trillion was that 14 times 10^12
and 7 trillion would be 7 times 10^12

Since they both will be multiplied by a factor of 10^12

So \[\large \frac{14 \times \cancel{10^{12}}}{7 \times \cancel{10^{12}}} = \frac{14}{7} = ?\]

Answer 4

2

Answer 5

Right! So the debt was twice as big in 2010 compared to 2003

Answer 6

Ok ty

Answer 7

No problem!