In 2005, the total waste generated in a certain country was 5.929 × 109 pounds. Also in
2005, the country's population was 5.77 x 106 people. Determine the garbage per capita
(per person) in that country in the year 2005.
To determine the garbage per capita in 2005, we need to divide the total waste generated by the population of the country.
Garbage per capita = Total waste generated / Population
Garbage per capita = 5.929 × 10^9 pounds / 5.77 × 10^6 people
Using scientific notation, we need to divide 5.929 by 5.77, and subtract the exponents:
Garbage per capita = (5.929 / 5.77) × 10^(9-6) pounds
Garbage per capita = (1.027) × 10^3 pounds
Therefore, the garbage per capita in the country in 2005 was 1.027 × 10^3 pounds per person.