Simplifying (2 x 10^5) / (4 x 10^2) in Scientific Notation
This problem involves dividing two numbers expressed in scientific notation. Here's how to solve it:
Understanding Scientific Notation
Scientific notation is a way to express very large or very small numbers in a compact form. It consists of a number between 1 and 10 (the coefficient) multiplied by a power of 10.
Steps to Solve:
- Divide the coefficients: 2 / 4 = 0.5
- Divide the powers of 10: 10^5 / 10^2 = 10^(5-2) = 10^3
Combining the Results:
- The result is 0.5 x 10^3
- To express this in standard scientific notation, move the decimal point one place to the right and decrease the exponent by 1: 5 x 10^2
Therefore, (2 x 10^5) / (4 x 10^2) is equal to 5 x 10^2 in scientific notation.