Question

The size of a cell is typically found by capturing an image under a microscope then using software to measure its diameter. Two cells are measured using this method:

Cell A:
5.47
×
1
0
−
3
5.47×10
−3
centimeters
Cell B:
8.6
×
1
0
−
4
8.6×10
−4
centimeters
How much larger is the diameter of cell A than the diameter of cell B? Express your answer using either standard notation or scientific notation.

Answer 1

To find the difference in diameter between cell A and cell B, we subtract the diameter of cell B from the diameter of cell A:

Cell A diameter - Cell B diameter = (5.47 × 10^(-3)) - (8.6 × 10^(-4))

To subtract these values, we need to have the same exponent for the scientific notation. We can convert the diameter of cell B to the same exponent as cell A:

Cell A diameter - Cell B diameter = (5.47 × 10^(-3)) - (0.86 × 10^(-3))

Now we can subtract the values:

Cell A diameter - Cell B diameter = 5.47 × 10^(-3) - 0.86 × 10^(-3)
= (5.47 - 0.86) × 10^(-3)
= 4.61 × 10^(-3)

Therefore, the diameter of cell A is 4.61 × 10^(-3) centimeters larger than the diameter of cell B.