Final answer:
To subtract numbers written in scientific notation, make sure the exponents are the same. Subtract the numbers multiplied by the same power of 10. Simplify the result.
Step-by-step explanation:
To subtract numbers written in scientific notation, you need to make sure the exponents are the same. In this case, both numbers have exponents of -10. Next, subtract the numbers multiplied by the same power of 10.
1.278 × 10⁻¹³ - 1.021 × 10⁻¹⁰ = (1.278 - 1.021) × 10⁻¹⁰ = 0.257 × 10⁻¹⁰
Finally, simplify the result. 0.257 × 10⁻¹⁰ can be expressed as 2.57 × 10⁻¹¹ in scientific notation.