Question

How do you simplify `(1.6times10^-5)(2.3times10^-3)`?

Answer 1

See a solution process below:

Explanation:

First, rewrite the expression as:

`(1.6 xx 2.3)(10^-5 xx 10^-3) => 3.68(10^-5 xx 10^-3)`

We can now use this rule of exponents to simplify the 10s terms:

`x^color(red)(a) xx x^color(blue)(b) => x^(color(red)(a) + color(blue)(b))`

`3.68(10^color(red)(-5) xx 10^color(blue)(-3) => 3.68 xx 10^(color(red)(-5) + color(blue)(-3)) =>`

`3.68 xx 10^-8`