Jed needs to estimate the value of StartFraction 4.32 times 10 Superscript negative 4 Baseline Over 8.71 times 10 Superscript negative 9 Baseline EndFraction. Which statements should he consider? Check all that apply.

4.32 divided by 8.71 is approximately 2.
4.32 divided by 8.71 is approximately 0.5.
The answer will be very small because Negative 4 minus 9 = negative 13.
The number will be large because Negative 4 minus (negative 9) = 5.
He will need to rewrite the preliminary result in scientific notation.
The number will be small because the exponent will be a fraction.

1 answer

To estimate the value of \( \frac{4.32 \times 10^{-4}}{8.71 \times 10^{-9}} \), let's examine each statement:

  1. 4.32 divided by 8.71 is approximately 2.

    • This is incorrect. \( \frac{4.32}{8.71} \) is not approximately 2; it is closer to 0.5.
  2. 4.32 divided by 8.71 is approximately 0.5.

    • This is true. \( \frac{4.32}{8.71} \) is indeed approximately 0.5.
  3. The answer will be very small because Negative 4 minus 9 = negative 13.

    • This is true. When you subtract, \( -4 - 9 = -13 \), and a negative exponent indicates a very small number.
  4. The number will be large because Negative 4 minus (negative 9) = 5.

    • This is false. The correct calculation shows it results in a negative exponent (as stated above).
  5. He will need to rewrite the preliminary result in scientific notation.

    • This is true. Since the result of the division will be small (due to the negative exponent being very large), it is common to express it in scientific notation.
  6. The number will be small because the exponent will be a fraction.

    • This is false. The exponent in this case is not fractional; it results from the subtraction of two integers. The reason for the small number is due to the negative exponent.

In summary, the statements Jed should consider are:

  • 4.32 divided by 8.71 is approximately 0.5.
  • The answer will be very small because Negative 4 minus 9 = negative 13.
  • He will need to rewrite the preliminary result in scientific notation.