Question

How do you write and simplify `1.30 times 10^4 div 6.5 times 10^-5` in scientific notation?

Answer 1

`2 xx 10^8`

Explanation:

Firstly, I will assume that there were meant to be brackets to indicate 2 numbers being divided:
`(1.30 xx 10^4)÷(6.5 xx 10^-5)`

One method is to write the calculation in fraction form:
`(1.30 xx 10^4)/(6.5 xx 10^-5)`

Now divide and use laws of indices with the powers of 10. This gives:
`0.2 xx 10^9` But this is not in standard from, so you need to adjust the answer by moving the decimal one place to the left and reducing the power by one.

`0.2 xx 10^9 = 2 xx 10^8`

Another method is to write the calculation differently:

`(1.30 ÷ 6.5 xx 10^4÷ 10^-5)`

This leads to the same result as before.