Question

Divide (8.6 x 108) by (3.2 x 103). Express your answer in scientific notation.

Answer 1

In doing this division, we will first divide the 8.6 by the 3.2 to get 2.6875.  Thankfully, that number is already in scientific notation so we don't have to worry about changing it.  Now for the rest of the problem.  When the bases are the same, and they are both 10's, you subtract the exponents.  $10^{8-3}$   gives us 10^5.  The answer then in scientific notation is $2.6875*10^5$.