For what value of b will 6x10^3 be 20 times larger than bx10^2?

1 answer

To find the value of \( b \) such that \( 6 \times 10^3 \) is 20 times larger than \( b \times 10^2 \), we can set up the equation:

\[ 6 \times 10^3 = 20 \times (b \times 10^2) \]

First, simplify the equation on the right:

\[ 6 \times 10^3 = 20b \times 10^2 \]

Next, we can divide both sides by \( 10^2 \) to eliminate it:

\[ \frac{6 \times 10^3}{10^2} = 20b \]

This simplifies to:

\[ 6 \times 10^{3-2} = 20b \]

Which further simplifies to:

\[ 6 \times 10^1 = 20b \]

Now \( 10^1 = 10 \), so we have:

\[ 6 \times 10 = 20b \]

Now, calculating the left side:

\[ 60 = 20b \]

Next, we can solve for \( b \) by dividing both sides by 20:

\[ b = \frac{60}{20} = 3 \]

Thus, the value of \( b \) that satisfies the equation is:

\[ \boxed{3} \]