The U.S. national debt was $2.9617 times 10^13 in 2021 and $3.98 times 10^11 in 1971. Find how much the debt increased in the 50-year period
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 \times 10^{13} - $3.98 \times 10^{11} = $2.9617 \times 10^{13} - $0.398 \times 10^{13} = $2.5637 \times 10^{13}
Therefore, the U.S. national debt increased by $2.5637 \times 10^{13} in the 50-year period.