The U.S. National debt was $2.9617 x 10^13 in 2021 and 3.98 x 10^11 in 1971. Find how much debt increases in the 50-year period in scientific notation
To find the increase in the national debt over the 50-year period, we need to subtract the debt in 1971 from the debt in 2021.
Debt increase = Debt in 2021 - Debt in 1971
Debt increase = (2.9617 x 10^13) - (3.98 x 10^11)
To subtract numbers in scientific notation, we need to ensure that the exponents are the same. In this case, we can convert the debt in 1971 to scientific notation with the same exponent as the debt in 2021.
Debt increase = (2.9617 x 10^13) - (0.398 x 10^13)
Now we can subtract the debts:
Debt increase = 2.9617 x 10^13 - 0.398 x 10^13
Debt increase = 2.5637 x 10^13
Therefore, the national debt increased by approximately 2.5637 x 10^13 dollars over the 50-year period.