Question

R =x^2/y

x=3.8x10^5
y=5.9x10^4

Work out the value of R

Give your answer in standard form to an appropriate degree of accuracy

Answer 1

2.4×10⁶

2,400,000 in the US

Explanation:

You want the value of the expression x²/y rounded to an appropriate precision when x=3.8×10⁵ and y=5.9×10⁴.

Calculator

The attached calculator display shows the result to 2 significant figures, the appropriate for computation using values that have 2 significant figures.

x²/y ≈ 2.4×10⁶

In the US, "standard form" would be the usual form in which numbers are written:

x²/y ≈ 2,400,000

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Additional comment

If you're working this out with pencil and paper, the value you want to compute is ...

(3.8×10⁵)²/(5.9×10⁴) = (3.8²/5.9)×10¹⁰⁻⁴ = (144.4/59)×10⁶ ≈ 2.4×10⁶

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