For what value of a will 8 x 10^3 be 40 times larger than a x 10^2? (1 point)

Answer 1

To find the value of a, we can set up the equation:

8 x 10^3 = 40 * (a x 10^2)

Simplifying both sides of the equation:

8 x 10^3 = 40a x 10^2

Since both terms have the same base (10) and equal bases are multiplied by adding their exponents, we can write the equation as:

8 x 10^(3-2) = 40a

8 x 10^1 = 40a

80 = 40a

Dividing both sides of the equation by 40:

a = 80/40

a = 2

So, the value of a that makes 8 x 10^3 40 times larger than a x 10^2 is a = 2.