In 2006, the US had a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of 1.313 x 10^13. The United Kingdom had a GDP of 1.93 x 10^12. What
were the combined GDPs of the US and the UK in 2006?
Incorrect Work/ Laila’s Solution Identify and Explain the error
(1.313 x 10^13) + (1.93 x 10^12)
1.313 + 1.93 = 3.243
10^13 + 10^12 = 10^25
The combined GDPs of the US and the UK in 2006 was
3.243 x 10^25.
The error in Laila's solution is the addition of the exponents of 10. Adding 10^13 and 10^12 does not result in 10^25. Instead, the correct approach would be to add the numbers in front of the exponent and keep the exponent the same.
Correct Solution:
(1.313 x 10^13) + (1.93 x 10^12)
1.313 + 1.93 = 3.243
Keep the exponent the same: 10^13
The combined GDPs of the US and the UK in 2006 was 3.243 x 10^13.