Question

R=x^2/y
x=3.8 times 10^5
y=5.9 times 10^4
work out the value of r

Answer 1

2.4 x 10^6

Explanation:

This is the equation r= x^2/y

do 3.8 x 10^5 squared and then divide it by 5.9 x 10^4

You should get a really long answer.

You do it to the appropriate degree of accuracy which gives you an answer of 2.4 x 10^6

Answer 2

2.4×10^6

Explanation:

Put the numbers where the variables are and do the arithmetic. You can enter the numbers in scientific notation into your (scientific) calculator and have it show you the result in the same format.

r = (3.8×10^5)^2/(5.9×10^4) . . . . . denominator parentheses are required

Please note that in the above expression, parentheses are required around the denominator number. This is because it is a product of two numbers. In your pocket calculator or spreadsheet, you can enter that value as a single number (not a product). Parentheses are not required when you can do that.

r = (3.8²/5.9)×10^(5·2-4) ≈ 2.4×10^6

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The "exact" value is a repeating decimal with a long repeat. We have rounded to 2 significant digits here because the input numbers have that number of significant digits.