Question

The approximate populations of Colorado and Wyoming (as of 2019) are listed below:
Colorado:5.76 x 10^6
Wyoming:5.79 x 10^5

What's the difference in population between the two states? Express your answer using either standard notation or scientific notation.

Answer 1

To find the difference in population between Colorado and Wyoming, we subtract the population of Wyoming from that of Colorado.

The populations are:
- Colorado: \( 5.76 \times 10^6 \)
- Wyoming: \( 5.79 \times 10^5 \)

First, we can express both populations in the same exponential form to make the subtraction easier. We can convert the population of Wyoming to the same power of ten as Colorado:

\[
5.79 \times 10^5 = 0.579 \times 10^6
\]

Now, we can perform the subtraction:

\[
5.76 \times 10^6 - 0.579 \times 10^6 = (5.76 - 0.579) \times 10^6
\]
\[
= 5.181 \times 10^6
\]

Thus, the difference in population between Colorado and Wyoming is:

\[
\boxed{5.181 \times 10^6}
\]