what is the order of magnitude difference between 17075200 and 323895

Question

the area of russia is 17075200 km² and the area of norway is 323895 km² and i need to find the order of magnitude difference between the two countries

Answer 1

Approximate both figures in scientific notation.  The difference in the powers of 10 is the difference in orders of magnitude.

 

17,075,200 ≅ 1.7 x 10⁷

 

323,895 ≅ 3.2 x 10⁵

 

7 - 5  = 2

 

The order of magnitude difference is 2.