The US national debt was $2.9617 x 10 ^ 13 in 2021 and $3. 98 x 10 ^11 in 1971. Find how much the debt increased in the 50-year period. Choose ABC or D
A $1.0183 * 10 ^ 24
B $ 3.0015 * 10 ^ 13
C. $2.9219 * 10 ^ 13
D. $2.9219 * 10 ^ 11
To calculate the increase in the debt over the 50-year period, we need to find the difference between the debt in 2021 and the debt in 1971.
Debt increase = Debt in 2021 - Debt in 1971
Debt increase = (2.9617 x 10^13) - (3.98 x 10^11)
To subtract these numbers, we need to convert them to the same scientific notation. Let's convert the debt in 2021 to scientific notation.
2.9617 x 10^13 - 3.98 x 10^11 = 2.9617 x 10^13 - 0.398 x 10^13
= 2.5637 x 10^13
Therefore, the debt increased by $2.5637 x 10^13 over the 50-year period.
None of the given options match this result, so unfortunately, the correct answer is not provided.
To find how much the debt increased in the 50-year period, we need to subtract the debt in 1971 from the debt in 2021.
Debt in 2021 = $2.9617 * 10^13
Debt in 1971 = $3.98 * 10^11
Debt increased = Debt in 2021 - Debt in 1971
Debt increased = ($2.9617 * 10^13) - ($3.98 * 10^11)
To subtract these values, we need to make sure the exponents are the same.
We can do this by converting both values to scientific notation with the same exponent, which will be 13 (the larger exponent).
Debt increased = (2.9617 * 10^13) - (0.0398 * 10^13)
Debt increased = 2.9617 - 0.0398 = 2.9219
Therefore, the debt increased by $2.9219 * 10^13 in the 50-year period.
The correct answer is: C. $2.9219 * 10^13.
To find how much the debt increased in the 50-year period, we need to subtract the debt in 1971 from the debt in 2021.
Debt in 2021: $2.9617 x 10^13
Debt in 1971: $3.98 x 10^11
Subtracting the debt in 1971 from the debt in 2021:
($2.9617 x 10^13) - ($3.98 x 10^11) = $2.9617 x 10^13 - $3.98 x 10^11
To subtract these numbers, the exponents of 10 should be the same. Therefore, we need to convert $3.98 x 10^11 to the same exponent as $2.9617 x 10^13:
$3.98 x 10^11 = $0.00398 x 10^13
Now, we can subtract the two values:
($2.9617 x 10^13) - ($0.00398 x 10^13) = $2.9617 x 10^13 - $0.00398 x 10^13 = $2.9617 x 10^13 - $0.00398 x 10^13 = $2.95772 x 10^13
Therefore, the debt increased by $2.95772 x 10^13 in the 50-year period.
Since none of the given choices match the calculated result of $2.95772 x 10^13, the answer is not listed among the options A, B, C, or D.