Omar broke a cell sample into 8 batches, each weighing 3.9 x 10^-10

grams. How much did the original sample weigh? Use scientific notation to express your answer.

1 answer

To find the weight of the original sample, you need to multiply the weight of one batch by the number of batches. The weight of one batch is \(3.9 \times 10^{-10}\) grams, and there are 8 batches.

So, the calculation is:

\[ \text{Total weight} = \text{Weight of one batch} \times \text{Number of batches} \]

\[ \text{Total weight} = (3.9 \times 10^{-10}) \times 8 \]

Now, multiply the numbers:

\[ 3.9 \times 8 = 31.2 \]

Now we express \(31.2\) in scientific notation:

\[ 31.2 = 3.12 \times 10^1 \]

Now, combining this with the \(10^{-10}\) from the original weight:

\[ \text{Total weight} = 3.12 \times 10^1 \times 10^{-10} \]

When multiplying exponents, you add the powers:

\[ 3.12 \times 10^{1 - 10} = 3.12 \times 10^{-9} \]

Thus, the weight of the original sample is:

\[ \boxed{3.12 \times 10^{-9}} \text{ grams} \]