Question

What is the approximate population of three countries expressed in scientific notation?

A) Panama: 3 x 10^6, Thailand: 2.2 x 10^7
B) Panama: 3 x 10^6, Thailand: 6 x 10^7
C) Panama: 2.2 x 10^7, Thailand: 6 x 10^7
D) Panama: 3 x 10^6, Thailand: 2.2 x 10^7, Thailand: 6 x 10^7

Answer 1

The provided options for Panama and Thailand's populations in scientific notation are not accurate based on the current population estimates and therefore an error may exist in the question.

Step-by-step explanation:

The student has asked for the approximate population of three countries expressed in scientific notation. To express these numbers in scientific notation, we first convert the number into a form where a single-digit integer from 1 through 9 is followed by a decimal point and the appropriate number of significant digits, and then multiply by 10 raised to the necessary power that shifts the decimal to the original number.

For Panama, with a population of approximately 4.3 million, we convert this to scientific notation as 4.3 × 10^6. For Thailand, with a population of approximately 69 million, we write this as 6.9 × 10^7. None of the options provided (A, B, C, D) have the correct scientific notation for Panama and Thailand's populations; therefore, it seems there might be an error in the question as written.