The average tectonic plate moves at the rate of 0.006 m per year. How many meters would it move in 2×10^6 years? Write the answer in scientific notation, expressed to the exact decimal place

1 answer

To find out how many meters a tectonic plate would move in \( 2 \times 10^6 \) years at a rate of \( 0.006 \) m per year, you can perform the following calculation:

\[ \text{Distance} = \text{Rate} \times \text{Time} \]

Substituting the values into the equation:

\[ \text{Distance} = 0.006 , \text{m/year} \times 2 \times 10^6 , \text{years} \]

Calculating the multiplication:

\[ \text{Distance} = 0.006 \times 2 \times 10^6 \] \[ \text{Distance} = 0.012 \times 10^6 \]

Now, to express \( 0.012 \) in scientific notation:

\[ 0.012 = 1.2 \times 10^{-2} \]

Putting it back in the equation:

\[ \text{Distance} = 1.2 \times 10^{-2} \times 10^6 \] \[ \text{Distance} = 1.2 \times 10^{4} \]

Thus, the tectonic plate would move:

\[ \boxed{1.2 \times 10^{4}} \text{ meters} \]