To find the increase in the national debt over the 50-year period from 1971 to 2021, we need to subtract the debt in 1971 from the debt in 2021.
Debt in 1971: 3.98 * 10^11
Debt in 2021: 2.9617 * 10^13
Increase in debt = Debt in 2021 - Debt in 1971
= 2.9617 * 10^13 - 3.98 * 10^11
To subtract these numbers, we need to ensure they have the same exponent. We can rewrite the debt in 1971 in scientific notation by adding two zeros to the end, which will not change its value:
Debt in 1971: 3.98 * 10^11 = 3.98 * 10^13 * 10^-2
Now we can subtract the debts:
Increase in debt = 2.9617 * 10^13 - 3.98 * 10^13 * 10^-2
= 2.9617 * 10^13 - (3.98 * 10^13 / 10^2)
= 2.9617 * 10^13 - 3.98 * 10^13 * 10^-2
= 2.9617 * 10^13 - 3.98 * 10^11
Now we subtract the values in scientific notation:
Increase in debt = (2.9617 - 0.0398) * 10^13
= 2.9219 * 10^13
Therefore, the national debt increased by approximately 2.9219 * 10^13 (or $29.219 trillion) over the 50-year period.
The US national debt was 2.9617 * 10 ^ 13 and 2021 and 3.98 * 10 ^ 11 and 1971 find how much the debt increased in the 50-year period
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