Simplifying Scientific Notation: (1.5 x 10^2)(5 x 10^10)
This problem involves multiplying two numbers expressed in scientific notation. Let's break down the steps:
Understanding Scientific Notation
Scientific notation is a way of writing very large or very small numbers in a more compact form. It follows the format:
a x 10^b
where:
- a is a number between 1 and 10 (the coefficient)
- b is an integer (the exponent)
Multiplying in Scientific Notation
To multiply numbers in scientific notation, we follow these steps:
- Multiply the coefficients: (1.5) x (5) = 7.5
- Add the exponents: 2 + 10 = 12
- Combine the results: 7.5 x 10^12
Final Answer
Therefore, (1.5 x 10^2)(5 x 10^10) simplifies to 7.5 x 10^12.