Question

Find the difference of 5.482 x 10¹² and 3.2 x 10¹².

1) 5.162 x 10¹²
2) 2.282 x 10¹²
3) 5.162 x 10²
4) 2.282 x 10²

Answer 1

The difference between 5.482 x 10¹² and 3.2 x 10¹² is found by subtracting the significant figures and keeping the exponent the same, which results in 2.282 x 10¹².

Step-by-step explanation:

To find the difference between 5.482 x 10¹² and 3.2 x 10¹², you need to subtract the second number from the first. Both numbers are in scientific notation and have the same exponent of 10¹², which makes the subtraction straightforward.

Here’s the step-by-step process:

1. 
   
3. Subtract the significant figures: 5.482 - 3.2 = 2.282
4. 
   
6. Keep the exponent the same since we are dealing with the same order of magnitude: 10¹²

Therefore, the difference is 2.282 x 10¹², which corresponds to option 2.