Mastering Scientific Notation: Addition & Subtraction Problems

A scientist measures the mass of a small asteroid as 3.2 x 10^12 kg. After further analysis, the mass is revised to 2.8 x 10^12 kg. What is the difference in mass between the two measurements?

• 5.0 x 10^11 kg

• 2.0 x 10^12 kg

• 4.0 x 10^11 kg

• 3.2 x 10^11 kg

A biologist is studying bacteria growth. Initially, there are 1.5 x 10^6 bacteria in a culture. After a day, the number increases to 2.3 x 10^6. How many bacteria were added to the culture?

• 8 x 10^5

• 5 x 10^5

• 3 x 10^5

• 1 x 10^6

A satellite is orbiting Earth at an altitude of 5.5 x 10^7 meters. If it descends to an altitude of 4.2 x 10^7 meters, how much altitude does it lose?

• 1.3 x 10^7 meters

• 4.0 x 10^7 meters

• 5.0 x 10^7 meters

• 1.2 x 10^7 meters

A car manufacturer produces 1.2 x 10^5 cars in a year. If they plan to increase production by 3.5 x 10^4 cars next year, what will be the total production for next year?

• 1.2 x 10^5

• 1.55 x 10^5

• 1.9 x 10^5

• 1.3 x 10^5

A researcher finds that a certain chemical is present in 4.5 x 10^3 mg in one sample and 2.1 x 10^3 mg in another. How much more of the chemical is in the first sample compared to the second?

• 1.5 x 10^3 mg

• 5.0 x 10^3 mg

• 3.0 x 10^3 mg

• 2.4 x 10^3 mg

A computer can process 2.5 x 10^9 calculations per second. If it processes 1.2 x 10^9 calculations in one second, how many calculations are left to be processed?

• 1.5 x 10^9

• 1.3 x 10^9

• 2.0 x 10^9

• 1.0 x 10^9

An oceanographer measures the depth of the ocean at a point to be 3.6 x 10^4 meters. If another measurement shows a depth of 2.9 x 10^4 meters, what is the difference in depth?

• 7.0 x 10^3 meters

• 8.0 x 10^3 meters

• 1.5 x 10^4 meters

• 5.5 x 10^3 meters

A factory produces 7.8 x 10^6 units of a product. If they sell 2.3 x 10^6 units, how many units are left in the factory?

• 3.2 x 10^6

• 5.5 x 10^6

• 4.5 x 10^6

• 6.0 x 10^6

A space probe travels a distance of 1.5 x 10^8 kilometers to reach a planet. If it has already traveled 9.2 x 10^7 kilometers, how much further does it need to go?

• 5.2 x 10^7 kilometers

• 8.0 x 10^7 kilometers

• 6.8 x 10^7 kilometers

• 7.5 x 10^7 kilometers

A library has 4.4 x 10^5 books. If they acquire 1.1 x 10^5 new books, what will be the total number of books in the library?

• 5.0 x 10^5

• 5.5 x 10^5

• 6.6 x 10^5

• 4.4 x 10^5