Question

What is the difference written in scientific notation 1.3x10^6 - 6.8 x 10^5

Answer 1

Here is your answer:

First turn the notations into standard form:

• $1.3 \times 10^6 = 1300000$
• $6.8 \times 10^5 = 680000$

Now subtract:

$1300000 - 680000 = 620000$

Now change the number in notation:

$620000 = 6.2 \times 10^5 =$

Therefore your answer is "6.2 × 10^5"

Hope this helps!

Answer 2

One way to solve this is to revert to integers.

Do this by moving the decimal in 1.3 to the right 6 places (indicated by the positive power value) and then 6.8 move the decimal to the right 5 places (same reason)

Now you have 1,300,000 & 680000. Subtract to get 620,000.

Now convert your product to scientific notation again by moving your decimal to the left until you are left with 6.2 x ? The question mark will be 10 to the number of places you moved the decimal. 10^5

We have 6.2 x 10^5.

It is import to note that when the decimal must be moved to the right for values less than one, the power will be negative.