How to simplify #(4times10^2) * (1times10^8)# in scientific notation?

1 Answer
May 18, 2018

See a solution process below:

Explanation:

First, rewrite the expression as:

#4 xx 10^2 xx 1 xx 10^8 =>#

#4 xx 1 xx 10^2 xx 10^8 =>#

#4 xx 10^2 xx 10^8 =>#

#4 xx (10^2 xx 10^8)#

Next, use this rule for exponents to simplify the 10s terms:

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

#4 xx (10^color(red)(2) xx 10^color(blue)(8)) =>#

#4 xx 10^(color(red)(2)+color(blue)(8)) =>#

#4 xx 10^10#