Is calculator the prob? calc says 1.4*10^-18, ans is 14*10^-

[australopithecus23]

I am being asked to find what this problem equals.

(-1x10^-19) - (-15x10^-19)=?

my calculator reads: 1.4x10^-18

but, the answer should be 14x10^-19

how is the latter number possible?

note: "-" = is minus

 

[Denis]

Re: Is my calculator the problem?

my calculator reads: 1.4x10^-18
but, the answer should be 14x10^-19

1.4x10^-18 = 14x10^-19

 

[Loren]

Re: Is my calculator the problem?

Note the difference between 1.4 and 14.

 

[mmm4444bot]

Re: Is my calculator the problem?

... my calculator reads: 1.4x10^-18 ...

Hi Lucy:

Your calculator, like most, is programmed to display numbers with huge or tiny magnitude in a form known as Scientific Notation.

14 × 10[sup:4a06j8q2]-19[/sup:4a06j8q2] is not Scientific Notation.

You will find the reason why it is not Scientific Notation if you follow Loren's suggestion (and perhaps look up the definition, if you need to).

Cheers,

~ Mark