Final answer:
To compare 6 x 10^8 and 3 x 10^6, we look at the powers of ten: 8 indicates 6 followed by 8 zeros, while 6 means 3 followed by 6 zeros. After completing the comparison, it's evident that 6 x 10^8, which is 600,000,000, is much larger than 3 x 10^6 or 3,000,000.
Step-by-step explanation:
To compare 6 x 10^8 and 3 x 10^6, you need to understand the concept of scientific notation, which is a way to express large or small numbers. Powers of ten represent how many zeros follow the leading digits. Here, the exponent '8' in 6 x 10^8 means that the number is 6 followed by 8 zeros, while in 3 x 10^6 the exponent '6' indicates that the number is 3 followed by 6 zeros.
Let's write these numbers out in their full form for a direct comparison:
- 6 x 10^8 = 600,000,000
- 3 x 10^6 = 3,000,000
Now comparing the two numbers, it is clear that 6 x 10^8 is much larger because it involves a number in the hundreds of millions, whereas 3 x 10^6 is in the millions.