the u.s national debt was $2.9617 times 10^13 in 2021 and $3.98 times 10^11 in 1971. find how much debt increased in the past 50- year period.

Answer 1

To find the increase in debt over the past 50 years, we subtract the 1971 debt from the 2021 debt:

2021 debt = $2.9617 * 10^13
1971 debt = $3.98 * 10^11

Increase in debt = (2.9617 * 10^13) - (3.98 * 10^11)
= 29.617 * 10^11 - 3.98 * 10^11
= (29.617 - 3.98) * 10^11
= 25.637 * 10^11
= $2.5637 * 10^12

Therefore, the debt increased by $2.5637 * 10^12 in the past 50-year period.