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 compare the numbers in descending order, we can convert them to decimal form or keep them in scientific notation, comparing the exponents first.

Here are the numbers:

1. \(2.3 \times 10^{-10}\)
2. \(3.2 \times 10^{-10}\)
3. \(2.3 \times 10^{-12}\)
4. \(2.3 \times 10^{-8}\)

Now, let's examine the exponents:

- \(10^{-8}\) is greater than \(10^{-10}\) and \(10^{-12}\).
- \(10^{-10}\) is greater than \(10^{-12}\).

Now we compare the coefficients for the numbers with the same exponent:

- For \(10^{-8}\):
- \(2.3 \times 10^{-8}\)
- For \(10^{-10}\):
- \(3.2 \times 10^{-10}\)
- \(2.3 \times 10^{-10}\)
- For \(10^{-12}\):
- \(2.3 \times 10^{-12}\)

We can now list them in descending order based on the value:

1. \(2.3 \times 10^{-8}\)
2. \(3.2 \times 10^{-10}\)
3. \(2.3 \times 10^{-10}\)
4. \(2.3 \times 10^{-12}\)

Thus, the numbers in descending order are:

\(2.3 \times 10^{-8}, 3.2 \times 10^{-10}, 2.3 \times 10^{-10}, 2.3 \times 10^{-12}\).