Question

the age of earth is about 4.6 times 10^9 years old. what is the number in decimal notation?

Answer 1

To convert \( 4.6 \times 10^9 \) years into decimal notation, you can multiply \( 4.6 \) by \( 10^9 \). This means moving the decimal point of \( 4.6 \) nine places to the right.

Starting with \( 4.6 \):
- Move the decimal point 1 place: \( 46.0 \)
- Move the decimal point 2 places: \( 460.0 \)
- Move the decimal point 3 places: \( 4600.0 \)
- Move the decimal point 4 places: \( 46000.0 \)
- Move the decimal point 5 places: \( 460000.0 \)
- Move the decimal point 6 places: \( 4600000.0 \)
- Move the decimal point 7 places: \( 46000000.0 \)
- Move the decimal point 8 places: \( 460000000.0 \)
- Move the decimal point 9 places: \( 4600000000.0 \)

Thus, \( 4.6 \times 10^9 \) in decimal notation is \( 4,600,000,000 \) years.