Question

A tiny area on a computer chip measures

2.3×10 −3 mm by 1.7×10 −4 mm. About how many × longer is the longer dimension than the shorter dimension?
a) 1.35
b) 6
c) 7.4
d) 13.5

Answer 1

The longer dimension of the area on the computer chip is about 13.5 times longer than the shorter dimension, which is calculated by dividing the longer dimension by the shorter dimension.

Step-by-step explanation:

To determine how many times longer one dimension is than the other, we divide the longer dimension by the shorter dimension. Given dimensions are 2.3×10⁻³ mm for the longer side and 1.7×10⁻⁴ mm for the shorter side.

To find the length multiple, we perform the division:
(2.3×10⁻³ mm) / (1.7×10⁻⁴ mm) which simplifies to (2.3 / 1.7) × (10⁻³ / 10⁻⁴) = (2.3 / 1.7) × 10¹.

Performing the calculation, we get (2.3 / 1.7) × 10¹ ≈ 1.35294 × 10, which is approximately 13.5 when rounded to one decimal place. Therefore, the longer dimension is about 13.5 times longer than the shorter dimension.

The correct answer to the question is d) 13.5.