For what value of a will 8 * 10 ^ 3 be 40 times larger than a * 10 ^ 2

Answer 1

To find the value of a, we can set up the equation:

8 * 10^3 = 40 * (a * 10^2)

Simplifying this equation, we get:

8 * 10^3 = 40a * 10^2

Multiplying both sides by 10^(-2) to move the exponent to the other side, we have:

8 * 10^3 * 10^(-2) = 40a

Simplifying, we get:

8 * 10^(3-2) = 40a

8 * 10^1 = 40a

80 = 40a

Dividing both sides by 40, we get:

a = 80 / 40

a = 2

Therefore, the value of a that makes 8 * 10^3 forty times larger than a * 10^2 is a = 2.