The number of managed honey bee colonies in the United States in 1946 was about 5.8 × 10^6 colonies. In 2008, the number of managed honey bee colonies was about 2,270,000 colonies. What is the difference in the number of colonies in the United States from 1946 to 2008?

Question

A.
3.53 × 10^6 colonies
B.
1.69 × 10^6 colonies
C.
1.69 × 10^7 colonies
D.
3.53 × 10^7 colonies

Answer 1

To find the difference in the number of managed honey bee colonies in the United States from 1946 to 2008, we need to express both quantities in a consistent format and then subtract them.

The number of colonies in 1946 is given as: \[ 5.8 \times 10^6 \]

The number of colonies in 2008 is given as: \[ 2,270,000 = 2.27 \times 10^6 \]

Now, we can find the difference:

1. Subtract the number of colonies in 2008 from the number of colonies in 1946:

\[ 5.8 \times 10^6 - 2.27 \times 10^6 \]

2. Combine the terms: \[ (5.8 - 2.27) \times 10^6 = 3.53 \times 10^6 \]

Thus, the difference in the number of colonies from 1946 to 2008 is: \[ 3.53 \times 10^6 \]

The correct answer is: A. \( 3.53 \times 10^6 \) colonies.