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 in adding the exponents together. When adding numbers in scientific notation, the exponents should not be added. Instead, the numbers should be added together and the exponent should remain the same.
The correct calculation should be:
(1.313 x 10^13) + (1.93 x 10^12) = 1.313 x 10^13 + 0.193 x 10^13 = 1.506 x 10^13
Therefore, the combined GDPs of the US and the UK in 2006 was 1.506 x 10^13.