Exploring Scientific Notation: Sums & Differences Challenge

A scientist measures the mass of a small asteroid as 3.2 x 10^6 kg and another asteroid as 1.5 x 10^6 kg. What is the difference in their masses in scientific notation?

• 1.5 x 10^6 kg

• 1.7 x 10^6 kg

• 3.0 x 10^6 kg

• 2.0 x 10^6 kg

A researcher finds that a certain bacteria population is 2.5 x 10^4 in one petri dish and 1.2 x 10^4 in another. Estimate the total bacteria population in both dishes using scientific notation.

• 3.0 x 10^4

• 4.0 x 10^4

• 3.7 x 10^4

• 2.7 x 10^4

The distance from Earth to a nearby star is approximately 4.2 x 10^16 meters. If a spacecraft travels 1.5 x 10^16 meters towards it, how far is it from the star now in scientific notation?

• 1.0 x 10^16 meters

• 2.7 x 10^16 meters

• 5.0 x 10^16 meters

• 3.5 x 10^16 meters

A factory produces 5.6 x 10^3 toys in one day and 2.3 x 10^3 toys the next day. How many toys did the factory produce over the two days in scientific notation?

• 7.0 x 10^3

• 7.9 x 10^3

• 8.2 x 10^3

• 6.5 x 10^3

A comet is traveling at a speed of 3.0 x 10^4 meters per second. If it slows down by 1.2 x 10^4 meters per second, what is its new speed in scientific notation?

• 3.6 x 10^4 m/s

• 2.4 x 10^4 m/s

• 1.0 x 10^4 m/s

• 1.8 x 10^4 m/s

A library has 4.5 x 10^5 books, and it donates 1.3 x 10^5 books to a local school. How many books does the library have left in scientific notation?

• 3.2 x 10^5

• 1.5 x 10^5

• 4.0 x 10^5

• 2.1 x 10^5

The population of a small town is 1.8 x 10^5 people. If 2.5 x 10^4 people move away, what is the new population in scientific notation?

• 1.75 x 10^5

• 1.3 x 10^5

• 1.55 x 10^5

• 2.0 x 10^5

A satellite orbits Earth at an altitude of 3.0 x 10^7 meters. If it descends by 1.0 x 10^7 meters, what is its new altitude in scientific notation?

• 4.0 x 10^7

• 2.0 x 10^7

• 1.0 x 10^7

• 3.0 x 10^7

A biologist studies two species of plants, with populations of 6.0 x 10^3 and 2.5 x 10^3. Estimate the total population of both species in scientific notation.

• 8.5 x 10^3

• 6.5 x 10^3

• 9.0 x 10^3

• 7.5 x 10^3

A car travels 1.2 x 10^5 meters in the first hour and 3.4 x 10^4 meters in the second hour. How far did the car travel in total in scientific notation?

• 2.00 x 10^5 meters

• 1.00 x 10^5 meters

• 1.92 x 10^5 meters

• 1.54 x 10^5 meters