Place the numbers in descending order. 2.3 × 10^−10; 3.2 × 10^−10; 2.3 × 10^−12; 2.3 × 10^−8
To place the numbers in descending order, we need to compare their values.
The given numbers are:
2.3 × 10^−10
3.2 × 10^−10
2.3 × 10^−12
2.3 × 10^−8
Let's rewrite these numbers in decimal notation to simplify the comparison:
2.3 × 10^−10 = 0.00000000023
3.2 × 10^−10 = 0.00000000032
2.3 × 10^−12 = 0.00000000000023
2.3 × 10^−8 = 0.000000023
Now, we can see that the numbers in descending order are:
0.000000023, 0.00000000032, 0.00000000023, 0.00000000000023
To place these numbers in descending order, we need to compare their values. The numbers are written in scientific notation, which consists of a decimal number multiplied by a power of 10.
Let's first compare the decimal parts of these numbers. Ignore the power of 10 for now.
The decimal part of each number is:
2.3 × 10^(-10) -> 2.3
3.2 × 10^(-10) -> 3.2
2.3 × 10^(-12) -> 2.3
2.3 × 10^(-8) -> 2.3
As we can see, the decimal parts are the same for all numbers since they are all 2.3. Therefore, we need to compare the power of 10 to determine the correct order.
The powers of 10 are:
2.3 × 10^(-10) -> -10
3.2 × 10^(-10) -> -10
2.3 × 10^(-12) -> -12
2.3 × 10^(-8) -> -8
Now, by comparing the powers of 10, we can see that -12 is the smallest, followed by -10 (which appears twice), and then -8.
Therefore, the numbers in descending order are:
2.3 × 10^(-12)
2.3 × 10^(-10)
2.3 × 10^(-10)
2.3 × 10^(-8)