Subtract numbers in scientific notation quick check
To subtract numbers in scientific notation, follow these steps:
1. Make sure the exponents of the numbers are the same.
2. Subtract the coefficients of the numbers.
3. Keep the exponent the same as the original numbers.
For example, to subtract 2.0 x 10^4 from 5.8 x 10^3:
Step 1: Adjust the exponents to be the same by shifting the decimal point:
2.0 x 10^4 becomes 20 x 10^3 (adjusted by dividing the exponent by 10)
5.8 x 10^3 stays the same.
Step 2: Subtract the coefficients:
20 - 5.8 = 14.2
Step 3: Keep the exponent the same:
14.2 x 10^3 (or simply 1.42 x 10^4 if you prefer to express it in scientific notation)
So, the result of subtracting 2.0 x 10^4 from 5.8 x 10^3 is 1.42 x 10^4 (or 14.2 x 10^3).
To subtract numbers in scientific notation, follow these steps:
1. Make sure the exponents are the same. If they are different, adjust one or both of the numbers by moving the decimal point so that they have the same exponent. Remember to adjust the significand accordingly.
2. Subtract the significands (the numbers before the "x10^" part).
3. Keep the common exponent the same.
4. If necessary, adjust the significand to be in proper scientific notation format. This means having only one digit before the decimal point and between 1 and 10.
Let's look at an example:
Subtract 4.6 x 10^4 from 8.2 x 10^4.
1. Since the exponents are already the same, we can move on to the next step.
2. Subtract the significands: 8.2 - 4.6 = 3.6.
3. Keep the common exponent the same: 10^4.
4. The result is 3.6 x 10^4.
Therefore, 8.2 x 10^4 - 4.6 x 10^4 = 3.6 x 10^4.
To subtract numbers in scientific notation, you can follow these steps:
Step 1: Make sure the exponents are the same. If they are not, adjust the exponents by moving the decimal point to the right or left. Remember, moving the decimal point to the right increases the exponent, and moving it to the left decreases the exponent.
Step 2: Once the exponents are the same, subtract the coefficients (the numbers in front of the powers of 10).
Step 3: Write the result in scientific notation, keeping the same exponent as the original numbers.
For example, let's subtract 3.5 x 10^4 from 1.8 x 10^5:
Step 1: Adjust the exponents. In this case, we need to move the decimal point one place to the right in the first number: 3.5 x 10^4 becomes 0.35 x 10^5.
Step 2: Subtract the coefficients: 1.8 - 0.35 = 1.45.
Step 3: Write the result in scientific notation using the original exponent: 1.45 x 10^5.
Remember to be careful with signs and pay attention to any rules about rounding or sig figs, as required.