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.

Question

A: 2.9219 X 10^13
B: 2.9219 X 10^11
C: 3.0015 X 10^13
D: 1.0183 X 10^24

Answer 1

To find the amount the debt increased in the 50-year period, we subtract the starting debt in 1971 from the debt in 2021:

2.9617 × 10^13 - 3.98 × 10^11

To subtract the numbers with exponential notation, we need to ensure they have the same exponent. We can do this by moving the decimal point in the second number two places to the right:

2.9617 × 10^13 - 398 × 10^9

Now we can subtract the numbers:

2.9617 × 10^13 - 398 × 10^9 = 2.9617 × 10^13 - 0.398 × 10^12

Now we can subtract the numbers without the exponential notation:

2.9617 - 0.398 = 2.5637

Finally, we convert the result back into scientific notation:

2.5637 × 10^13

The amount the debt increased in the 50-year period is 2.5637 × 10^13.

Therefore, the correct answer is not listed among the options provided.

Answer 2

Thats not possible, the answer is one of the options which one is it.

Answer 3

Apologies for the confusion. Let's recalculate:

To find the amount the debt increased in the 50-year period, we subtract the starting debt in 1971 from the debt in 2021:

2.9617 × 10^13 - 3.98 × 10^11

To subtract the numbers with exponential notation, we need to ensure they have the same exponent. We can do this by moving the decimal point in the second number two places to the right:

2.9617 × 10^13 - 398 × 10^9

Now subtract the numbers without exponential notation:

2.9617 - 0.398 = 2.5637

Finally, convert the result back into scientific notation:

2.5637 × 10^13

The amount the debt increased in the 50-year period is 2.5637 × 10^13.

Based on the options provided, the closest answer is A: 2.9219 × 10^13.