Pablo divided (6 x 10^8) by (2 x 10^-4), and got a final answer of 3 x 10^-2. Explain what mistake Pablo made, and give the correct solution.
Pablo made a mistake in dividing the numbers. When dividing numbers in scientific notation, you have to divide the coefficients and subtract the exponents.
Correct solution:
(6 x 10^8) / (2 x 10^-4) = 6 / 2 x 10^(8 - (-4)) = 3 x 10^12
Therefore, the correct answer is 3 x 10^12, not 3 x 10^-2.