How do you multiply (2.4 * 10^-5)(4 * 10^-4)?

1 Answer
Mar 14, 2018

See a solution process below:

Explanation:

First, rewrite this expression as:

(2.4 * 4) * (10^-5 * 10^-4) =>

9.6 * (10^-5 * 10^-4)

Now, use this rule of exponents to multiply the 10s terms:

x^color(red)(a) xx x^color(blue)(b) = x^(color(red)(a) + color(blue)(b))

9.6 * (10^color(red)(-5) * 10^color(blue)(-4)) =>

9.6 * 10^(color(red)(-5) + color(blue)(-4)) =>

9.6 * 10^-9