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:
-
Multiply the coefficients:
In this case, we multiply 4 and 2, which gives us 8. -
Add the exponents:
Here, we add the exponents 4 and 3, resulting in 7. -
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.