The U.S. national debt was $2.9617 × 1013 in 2021 and $3.98 × 1011 in 1971. Find how much the debt increased in the 50-year period. (1 point)
O $1.0183 × 10?4
O $3.0015 × 1013
O $2.9219 × 1011
O $2.9219 × 1013
To find how much the debt increased in the 50-year period, we subtract the debt in 1971 from the debt in 2021.
$2.9617 × 10^13 - $3.98 × 10^11 = $2.9219 × 10^13
Therefore, the correct answer is O $2.9219 × 10^13.
To find the increase in the U.S. national debt over the 50-year period, subtract the debt in 1971 from the debt in 2021.
$2.9617 × 10^13 - $3.98 × 10^11 = $2.9617 × 10^13 - $0.398 × 10^13 = $2.9613 × 10^13.
Therefore, the debt increased by $2.9613 × 10^13 or $29.613 trillion.
However, none of the answer choices provided match this calculation. Therefore, it seems there might be an error in the figures given.
To find the increase in the U.S. national debt over the 50-year period, we need to calculate the difference between the debt in 2021 and the debt in 1971.
Given:
Debt in 2021 = $2.9617 × 10^13
Debt in 1971 = $3.98 × 10^11
To calculate the increase, we subtract the debt in 1971 from the debt in 2021:
Increase = Debt in 2021 - Debt in 1971
Increase = ($2.9617 × 10^13) - ($3.98 × 10^11)
Now, simplify the expression:
Increase = $2.9617 × 10^13 - $3.98 × 10^11
Since the exponents are equal, we can subtract the terms directly:
Increase = $2.9617 × 10^13 - $0.398 × 10^13
Now, subtract the decimal values:
Increase = $2.9617 × 10^13 - $0.0398 × 10^13
Increase = $2.9219 × 10^13
Therefore, the increase in the U.S. national debt in the 50-year period is $2.9219 × 10^13, so the correct answer is O) $2.9219 × 10^13.