General Question

MissAnthrope's avatar

How do I do this problem with exponential numbers and whatnot?

Asked by MissAnthrope (21511points) January 24th, 2012

It’s been a few years since I’ve had math and I’m rusty. Now, I’m in Chem and banging my head on the desk because I can’t remember how to do this. This is not homework, these are just practice problems, but I need some help, please!

I have the problems and solutions, which are basically getting a scientific notation number into some other form, which varies depending on the problem at hand, but I’m not so worried about that because I fully understand canceling. Basically, what I want to know is how to handle the ^n numbers.

.

The solution is written out as:

6.54×10^9 fs x [(1×10^-15 s)/1 fs] x [1 μs/1×10^-6 s] = 6.54 μs

.

My question is, in a problem like this, how do you handle the scientific notation numbers? I’ve completely forgotten.. I remember you add sometimes and subtract others? I wrote the thing out and tried to cancel and work it out for myself, but I don’t get it. I do understand the principle of the rest of it.

Your help would be most appreciated. :)

Observing members: 0 Composing members: 0

4 Answers

zenvelo's avatar

First of all, remember that negative exponents are the inverse, so they divide. 5x^-3 is 1/5x^3.

And, when multiplying you add the exponents. (10^5)(10^3) = 10^8

When dividing you subtract the exponent of the denominator from the exponent of the numerator. 10^5/ 10^3 = 10^2

Hope that helps.

MissAnthrope's avatar

It does, thank you!

yankeetooter's avatar

Except you can only add (or subtract) the exponents when the base is the same…so for instance…

(6.54×10^9) * (6.54×10^9) = 6.54×10^18

This can be performed because the bases are the same…otherwise this simplified method does not work…

For instance…

x^3 * y^4 is not equal to (xy)^7…

RazorsEdge's avatar

@poke 5x^-3 is 5/x^3

Answer this question

Login

or

Join

to answer.

This question is in the General Section. Responses must be helpful and on-topic.

Your answer will be saved while you login or join.

Have a question? Ask Fluther!

What do you know more about?
or
Knowledge Networking @ Fluther