To find the increase in the national debt over a 50-year period, we need to subtract the initial debt in 1971 from the debt in 2021.
Debt in 2021 = 2.9617×10^13
Debt in 1971 = 3.98×10^11
Increase in debt = Debt in 2021 - Debt in 1971
= 2.9617×10^13 - 3.98×10^11
To subtract the two numbers written in scientific notation, we must have the same exponent. Let's convert the debt in 1971 to scientific notation with 13 as the exponent.
3.98×10^11 = 3.98×10^(11+2) = 3.98×10^13
Now we can calculate the increase in debt:
Increase in debt = 2.9617×10^13 - 3.98×10^13
= (2.9617 - 3.98) × 10^13
= -1.0183 × 10^13
Therefore, the national debt in the US decreased by approximately $1.0183 × 10^13 over the 50-year period.
The US national debt was 2.9617×10^13 in 2021 and 3.98×10 to the 11th power in 1971 find how much the debt increased in the 50 year. Period.
1 answer