The U.S. Postal Service set the maximum thickness of a postcard at 0.016

Question

inch.

Which of the following is a reasonable estimate for the maximum thickness of a postcard?







(1 point)
Responses

2×10−2
in
2 times 10 to the negative 2 powerin

2×102
in
2 times 10 squaredin

2×10−3
in
2 times 10 to the negative 3 powerin

2×103
in

Answer 1

To estimate the maximum thickness of a postcard at 0.016 inch, let's convert that into scientific notation:

0.016 can be expressed as \( 1.6 \times 10^{-2} \) inch.

Looking at the options provided:

• \(2 \times 10^{-2}\) in
• \(2 \times 10^{2}\) in
• \(2 \times 10^{-3}\) in
• \(2 \times 10^{3}\) in

The option \(2 \times 10^{-2}\) in is the closest to \(1.6 \times 10^{-2}\) in because it represents a similar magnitude.

Thus, the reasonable estimate for the maximum thickness of a postcard is:

2×10−2 in