Subtract Numbers in Scientific Notation Quick Check

Question

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Question
Platelets and red blood cells are components of the blood. A typical platelet and red blood cell have diameters of approximately 2.33×10−6
m and 0.0000075 m, respectively. Which blood component has a bigger diameter, and approximately by how much?(1 point)
Responses

A platelet has a bigger diameter than a red blood cell by 9.83×10−6
m.
A platelet has a bigger diameter than a red blood cell by 9.83 times 10 superscript negative 6 baseline m.

A platelet has a bigger diameter than a red blood cell by 5.17×10−6
m.
A platelet has a bigger diameter than a red blood cell by 5.17 times 10 superscript negative 6 baseline m.

A red blood cell has a bigger diameter than a platelet by 9.83×10−6
m.
A red blood cell has a bigger diameter than a platelet by 9.83 times 10 superscript negative 6 baseline m.

A red blood cell has a bigger diameter than a platelet by 5.17×10−6
m.
A red blood cell has a bigger diameter than a platelet by 5.17 times 10 superscript negative 6 baseline m.
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Answer 1

To determine which blood component has a bigger diameter, we need to compare the diameters of the platelet and the red blood cell.

1. Diameter of the platelet: \( 2.33 \times 10^{-6} \) m
2. Diameter of the red blood cell: \( 0.0000075 \) m, which can also be expressed in scientific notation as \( 7.5 \times 10^{-6} \) m.

Now we compare the two numbers:

• Platelet: \( 2.33 \times 10^{-6} \) m
• Red blood cell: \( 7.5 \times 10^{-6} \) m

Clearly, \( 7.5 \times 10^{-6} \) m (the diameter of the red blood cell) is greater than \( 2.33 \times 10^{-6} \) m (the diameter of the platelet).

Next, we calculate the difference in size:

\[ 7.5 \times 10^{-6} , \text{m} - 2.33 \times 10^{-6} , \text{m} = (7.5 - 2.33) \times 10^{-6} , \text{m} = 5.17 \times 10^{-6} , \text{m} \]

Thus, a red blood cell has a bigger diameter than a platelet by approximately \( 5.17 \times 10^{-6} \) m.

The correct response is: A red blood cell has a bigger diameter than a platelet by \( 5.17 \times 10^{-6} \) m.