There is an average of 3.5×10−2 kilograms of dissolved salt in each liter of seawater. The South China Sea contains approximatel
y 9.88×1018 liters of seawater. How many kilograms of dissolved salt are in the South China Sea? Enter your answer, in scientific notation, in the boxes.
(3.5×10⁻² kg/L) × (9.88×10¹⁸ L) = (3.5×9.88) × 10⁽⁻²⁺¹⁸⁾ kg
... = 34.58×10¹⁶ kg
... = 3.458×10¹⁷ kg
_____
<em>Comment on significant digits</em>
It would be appropriate to round the answer to 2 significant digits, matching the number of significant digits in the least-precise factor. Then the answer would be 3.5×10¹⁷ kg.
_____
<em>Comment on scientific notation problems</em>
Your scientific calculator can show results in scientific notation.