Question

Place the numbers in descending order.

2.3 × 10^−10
; 3.2 × 10^−10
; 2.3 × 10^−12
; 2.3 × 10^−8

1 answer

To place the numbers in descending order, it helps to first express each number in standard decimal notation:

  1. \(2.3 \times 10^{-10} = 0.00000000023\)
  2. \(3.2 \times 10^{-10} = 0.00000000032\)
  3. \(2.3 \times 10^{-12} = 0.0000000000023\)
  4. \(2.3 \times 10^{-8} = 0.000000023\)

Now we can compare the numbers:

  • \(2.3 \times 10^{-8} = 0.000000023\)
  • \(2.3 \times 10^{-10} = 0.00000000023\)
  • \(3.2 \times 10^{-10} = 0.00000000032\)
  • \(2.3 \times 10^{-12} = 0.0000000000023\)

Arranging them in descending order gives:

  1. \(2.3 \times 10^{-8}\)
  2. \(3.2 \times 10^{-10}\)
  3. \(2.3 \times 10^{-10}\)
  4. \(2.3 \times 10^{-12}\)

So the final order is:

2.3 × 10^−8 ; 3.2 × 10^−10 ; 2.3 × 10^−10 ; 2.3 × 10^−12