The U.S. national debt was $2.9617×10^13 in 2021 and $3.98×10^11 in 1971. Find how much the debt increased in the 50-year period. (1 point)

Responses

$2.9219×1011
2.9219 dollars times 10 superscript 11 baseline

$2.9219×1013
2.9219 dollars times 10 superscript 13 baseline

$1.0183×1024
1.0183 dollars times 10 superscript 24 baseline

$3.0015×1013

1 answer

To find the increase in the national debt over the 50-year period, we need to subtract the debt in 1971 from the debt in 2021.

Debt increase = Debt in 2021 - Debt in 1971
Debt increase = 2.9617×10^13 - 3.98×10^11

To subtract these numbers, we need to make sure they are written in scientific notation with the same exponent.

2.9617×10^13 = 29.617×10^12
3.98×10^11 = 0.398×10^12

Debt increase = (29.617×10^12) - (0.398×10^12)
Debt increase = 29.219×10^12

Therefore, the increase in the national debt over the 50-year period is $2.9219×10^13.