Question

Place the numbers in descending order.

2.3 × 10^−10
; 3.2 × 10^−10
; 2.3 × 10^−12
; 2.3 × 10^−8

Answer 1

To arrange the numbers in descending order, we first convert them to standard decimal form for easier comparison:

1. \(2.3 \times 10^{-10} = 0.00000000023\)
2. \(3.2 \times 10^{-10} = 0.00000000032\)
3. \(2.3 \times 10^{-12} = 0.0000000000023\)
4. \(2.3 \times 10^{-8} = 0.000000023\)

Now we can compare these decimal values:

- \(2.3 \times 10^{-8} = 0.000000023\) (The largest)
- \(2.3 \times 10^{-10} = 0.00000000023\)
- \(3.2 \times 10^{-10} = 0.00000000032\)
- \(2.3 \times 10^{-12} = 0.0000000000023\) (The smallest)

Now, putting them in descending order we have:

\[
2.3 \times 10^{-8} > 3.2 \times 10^{-10} > 2.3 \times 10^{-10} > 2.3 \times 10^{-12}
\]

Thus, the numbers in descending order are:

\[
2.3 \times 10^{-8}, 3.2 \times 10^{-10}, 2.3 \times 10^{-10}, 2.3 \times 10^{-12}
\]