How to simplify #(6.2 times 10^3)(2 times 10^4) # in scientific notation?

1 Answer
Oct 31, 2015

It is #1.24xx10^8#

Explanation:

First thing is to multiply the mantisses (#6.2xx2#) and the exponents. There you use the property of exponents: #a^b*a^c=a^(b+c)#.

So first you get: #(6.2xx10^3)(2xx10^4)=12.4xx10^7#

In scientiffic notation the rule is that mantisse has to be between 0 and 10, so you have to move the decimal point one place left increasing the exponent by 1 at the same time. Finally you get the answer: #1.24xx10^8#