Question

The largest marine animal is the blue whale, with an average mass of about 1.7×10^5 kg. The largest land animal ever is thought to be a dinosaur that had a mass of about 8×10^4 . What is the approximate difference in mass between these two animals?

Answer 1

The approximate difference in mass between the blue whale and the largest dinosaur is 9×10^4 kg.

Step-by-step explanation:

The student has asked about the approximate difference in mass between the largest marine animal, the blue whale, and the largest land animal ever, thought to be a dinosaur. To calculate the difference in mass, the mass of the blue whale is approximately 1.7×105 kg and the dinosaur's mass is approximately 8×104 kg.

To find the difference, subtract the mass of the dinosaur from the mass of the blue whale:

1.7×105 kg - 8×104 kg = (1.7 - 0.8)×105 kg

= 0.9×105 kg

= 9×104 kg

Therefore, the approximate difference in mass between the two animals is 9×104 kg.