How do you simplify #5.9-2.803#?

1 Answer
Dec 14, 2016

#3.097#

Explanation:

#5.9 - 2.803#

The above can be rewritten as:
#5.900 - 2.803#

Then in steps the numbers can be subtracted.
#5-2 = 3#
#0.9 - 0.8 = 0.1#
#0.00 - 0.00 = 0.00#
#0.000 - 0.003 = -0.003#
#3 + 0.1 + 0.00 + (-0.003) = 3.100 - 0.003#

Now the last bit of subtraction can be done.
#3.100 - 0.003 = (3100 - 3)*10^-3 = 3097*10^-3 = 3.097#