how do i solve 46.2x10to the power of -2

Question

how do i solve 46.2x10-₂

Answer 1

Hi, Vanessa! All you'll need to do to find your answer is move the decimal point two places to the left because the exponent is 2 and it is negative. If you move the decimal point two places to the left, you arrive at the answer: .462. If the exponent was a positive 2, you would have moved the decimal point two places to the right to arrive at the correct answer.

Answer 2

Hi Vanessa,

46.2 x 10^-2 = 46.2 ÷ 100 = 0.462

This is because negative exponents show that that term in the expression is really under the division bar.

So, 10^-2 really means 1 / 10²  or 1/100 or ÷ 100

When we divide by 100, the decimal point moves two places to the left in the number.

Answer 3

46.2 x 10^1 = 462

46.2 x 10^0 = 46.2

46.2 x 10^-1 = 4.62

46.2 x 10^-2 = 0.462

positive exponent for the 10 moves the decimal to the right

negative exponent for the 10 moves the decimal to the left

zero exponent leaves the decimal right where it is.