Calculating (3 x 10⁸) x (3 x 10⁷)
This problem involves multiplying two numbers written in scientific notation. Here's a breakdown of how to solve it:
Understanding Scientific Notation
Scientific notation is a way of expressing very large or very small numbers concisely. It follows the form: a x 10<sup>b</sup>, where:
- a is a number between 1 and 10 (often called the coefficient).
- b is an integer (positive or negative) representing the power of 10.
Multiplying in Scientific Notation
To multiply numbers in scientific notation, follow these steps:
- Multiply the coefficients: (3 x 3) = 9
- Add the exponents: (8 + 7) = 15
- Combine the results: 9 x 10<sup>15</sup>
Solution
Therefore, (3 x 10⁸) x (3 x 10⁷) = 9 x 10<sup>15</sup>.
Additional Notes
- Scientific Notation in Context: Scientific notation is commonly used in fields like physics, chemistry, and astronomy to represent extremely large or small quantities.
- Example: The distance from the Earth to the Sun is approximately 150 million kilometers. This can be expressed in scientific notation as 1.5 x 10⁸ kilometers.