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.
4.5
X
102 cm
What is a common unit for expressing the height of an object this size?
meters
Write the amount the rock formation grows in meters. Enter your answer in standard form.
2
m

Answer 1

Growth in 50,000 years:
(9 × 10^-3 cm/yr) × 50,000 yr = (9 × 10^-3) × (5 × 10^4) = 45 × 10^1 = 4.5 × 10^2 cm.

A common unit for this height is meters.

Convert to meters: 4.5 × 10^2 cm = 450 cm = 4.5 m.