Dividing Large and Small Numbers: A Look at (6 x 10⁸) ÷ (1.5 x 10⁻⁴)
This article explores the division of two numbers expressed in scientific notation: (6 x 10⁸) ÷ (1.5 x 10⁻⁴). We'll break down the process and arrive at the solution.
Understanding Scientific Notation
Scientific notation is a convenient way to express extremely large or small numbers. It follows the form: a x 10<sup>b</sup>, where 'a' is a number between 1 and 10, and 'b' is an integer representing the power of 10.
Dividing in Scientific Notation
When dividing numbers in scientific notation, we divide the coefficients (the 'a' values) and subtract the exponents (the 'b' values). Let's apply this to our problem:
(6 x 10⁸) ÷ (1.5 x 10⁻⁴) = (6 ÷ 1.5) x 10<sup>(8 - (-4))</sup>
Solving the Equation
- Divide the coefficients: 6 ÷ 1.5 = 4
- Subtract the exponents: 8 - (-4) = 12
The Solution
Combining the results, we get:
(6 x 10⁸) ÷ (1.5 x 10⁻⁴) = 4 x 10¹²
Therefore, dividing (6 x 10⁸) by (1.5 x 10⁻⁴) gives us 4 x 10¹².