The U.S. national debt was $2.9617 x 1013 in 2021 and $3.98 x 1011 in 1971. Find how much the debt increased in the 50-year period. (1 point)

Question

$1.0183 × 1024
$3.0015 x 1013
$2.9219 x 1011
$2.9219 × 1013

Answer 1

To find the increase in the U.S. national debt from 1971 to 2021, we will subtract the debt in 1971 from the debt in 2021.

The national debt values are:

• Debt in 2021: \( 2.9617 \times 10^{13} \)
• Debt in 1971: \( 3.98 \times 10^{11} \)

First, let's express both amounts in the same exponent for easier subtraction. We can rewrite \( 3.98 \times 10^{11} \) with an exponent of \( 10^{13} \):

\[ 3.98 \times 10^{11} = 0.0398 \times 10^{13} \]

Now we can perform the subtraction:

\[ \text{Increase in debt} = 2.9617 \times 10^{13} - 0.0398 \times 10^{13} \] \[ = (2.9617 - 0.0398) \times 10^{13} \] \[ = 2.9219 \times 10^{13} \]

Thus, the increase in the U.S. national debt over that 50-year period is \( 2.9219 \times 10^{13} \).

The correct answer is:

$2.9219 × 10^{13}$