The US national debt was $2.9617 x 10 to the 13 power in 2021 and $3.98 x 10 to the power of 11, in 1971 find how much the debt increased in the 50 year. Period
To find the increase in the US national debt over the 50-year period from 1971 to 2021, we need to calculate the difference between the debt in 2021 and the debt in 1971.
Debt in 1971 = $3.98 x 10^11
Debt in 2021 = $2.9617 x 10^13
Increase in debt = Debt in 2021 - Debt in 1971
= ($2.9617 x 10^13) - ($3.98 x 10^11)
To subtract exponential numbers, we need to have them in the same power of 10.
$3.98 x 10^11 = ($3.98 x 10^11) x (10^2 / 10^2)
= $3.98 x 10^13 / 10^2
= $3.98 x 10^11
Therefore, the increase in the debt over the 50-year period is:
$2.9617 x 10^13 - $3.98 x 10^11 = $2.9617 x 10^13 - $3.98 x 10^11 = $2.9217 x 10^13
So, the US national debt increased by approximately $2.9217 x 10^13 over the 50-year period.