Gross domestic product (GDP) is a measure of the economic output of a country. The GDP of the United States was about 1.2 x 1013 dollars in 2005. This is about 3 times the GDP in 1985. What was the U.S. GDP in 1985?

To find the U.S. GDP in 1985, we need to divide the GDP in 2005 by the growth factor of 3.

GDP in 1985 = GDP in 2005 / Growth factor
GDP in 1985 = 1.2 x 10^13 dollars / 3

Using scientific notation, we can rewrite the GDP in 2005 as 1.2 x 10^13 dollars.

GDP in 1985 = (1.2 x 10^13 dollars) / 3
GDP in 1985 ≈ 0.4 x 10^13 dollars

In standard notation, the U.S. GDP in 1985 was approximately 4 x 10^12 dollars.