How do you simplify #(1.6times10^-5)(2.3times10^-3)#?

1 Answer
smendyka
May 13, 2017

See a solution process below:

Explanation:

First, rewrite the expression as:

#(1.6 xx 2.3)(10^-5 xx 10^-3) => 3.68(10^-5 xx 10^-3)#

We can now use this rule of exponents to simplify the 10s terms:

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

#3.68(10^color(red)(-5) xx 10^color(blue)(-3) => 3.68 xx 10^(color(red)(-5) + color(blue)(-3)) =>#

#3.68 xx 10^-8#

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