The U.S. national debt was $2.9617×10^13 in 2021 and $3.98×10^11 in 1971. Find how much the debt increased in the 50-year period.

The increase in debt is calculated by subtracting the initial debt from the final debt:

$2.9617×10^13 - $3.98×10^11

= $2.9617×10^13 - $0.398×10^13

= $2.5637×10^13

The debt increased by $2.5637×10^13, or $25.637 trillion.

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To find the increase in the U.S. national debt between 1971 and 2021, we need to calculate the difference between the two values.

The debt in 2021 was $2.9617×10^13, and the debt in 1971 was $3.98×10^11.

To simplify the calculations, let's convert both numbers to standard notation:

Debt in 2021 = $29,617,000,000,000
Debt in 1971 = $398,000,000,000

Now, to find the increase in debt, we subtract the debt in 1971 from the debt in 2021:

$29,617,000,000,000 - $398,000,000,000 = $29,219,000,000,000

Therefore, the U.S. national debt increased by approximately $29,219,000,000,000 over the 50-year period.

To calculate the increase in the U.S. national debt from 1971 to 2021, you need to subtract the debt in 1971 from the debt in 2021.

Step 1: Convert the given values to their actual numbers.
Debt in 2021: $2.9617 × 10^13
Debt in 1971: $3.98 × 10^11

Step 2: Perform the subtraction.
$2.9617 × 10^13 - $3.98 × 10^11

To subtract these numbers, we need to ensure that the exponents (powers of 10) are the same. To do this, we can rewrite $3.98 × 10^11 as $0.398 × 10^13.

$2.9617 × 10^13 - $0.398 × 10^13 = $2.5637 × 10^13

Therefore, the U.S. national debt increased by approximately $2.5637 × 10^13 (or $25.637 trillion) over the 50-year period from 1971 to 2021.