Question

A rock formation in a cave grows at a rate of 9 x 10-3 centimeter per year.
How much does the rock formation grow in 50,000 years? Write your answer using scientific notation.
? cm
x?

Answer 1

(9 × 10^-3 cm/yr) × (5.0 × 10^4 yr) = 45 × 10^1 cm = 4.5 × 10^2 cm.

So the formation grows 4.5 × 10^2 cm (450 cm).