(4x10^4)(2x10^3)

2 min read Jun 16, 2024
(4x10^4)(2x10^3)

Multiplying Numbers in Scientific Notation

This article will demonstrate how to multiply the numbers in scientific notation: (4 x 10<sup>4</sup>)(2 x 10<sup>3</sup>).

Understanding Scientific Notation

Scientific notation is a way to express very large or very small numbers in a compact and convenient form. It uses the following format:

  • a x 10<sup>b</sup>

Where:

  • a is a number between 1 and 10 (but not including 10)
  • b is an integer (positive, negative, or zero)

Multiplying the Numbers

To multiply numbers in scientific notation, we can follow these steps:

  1. Multiply the coefficients:
    In this case, we multiply 4 and 2, which gives us 8.

  2. Add the exponents:
    Here, we add the exponents 4 and 3, resulting in 7.

  3. Combine the results: This gives us 8 x 10<sup>7</sup>.

The Result

Therefore, (4 x 10<sup>4</sup>)(2 x 10<sup>3</sup>) = 8 x 10<sup>7</sup>.

Conclusion

By following the steps outlined above, we can easily multiply numbers expressed in scientific notation. This method makes calculations with large or small numbers more manageable and efficient.