Question

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?
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**.