How do you simplify 8.13-2.716?

1 Answer
Dec 23, 2016

5.414 (without using significant figures).

Explanation:

To get the final answer to this answer, simply pull out a calculator and insert the following:

8.13-2.716=?

The below steps are very confusing. I will explain them. Refer back the following to understand my reasoning.

8.130
-
2.716

First off, we can immediately imagine a zero on the end of 8.13. It will help a lot.

Secondly, since we can't subtract 6 from 0 without making it negative, we must borrow a 1 from the 3. This makes the 0 a 10 and the 3 a 2.

Third, we can't subtract 7 from 1 either. So we borrow 1 from the 8 to make the 1 an 11. This makes the 8 a 7 now.

Lastly we take the new numbers and subtract them. From left to right it looks like:

  • 7-2=5

  • 11-7=4

  • 2-1=1

  • 10-6=4

Now we assemble the number again with the decimal. 5.414 is the decimal version.

We have now found the answer to this problem by not using a calculator. Although it sometimes is easiest to use a calculator when doing problems like this. Unless otherwise instructed to not use a calculator, use one to your advantage!

Answer: #5.141