A jet flies at a rate of 1.3x10^3 feet per hour. Written in scientific notation which is the best estimate of how many feet the jet will travel in 2.8x10^3 hours?

3 * 10^6 if the answer is 3.64 * 10^6, you really ought to argue the meaning of estimate with your instructor.

Step-by-step explanation:

This is a very valuable question. Put your calculator away when you answer it. Using a calculator is sort of cheating.

1.3 * 10^3 roughly is roughly 1 * 10^3

2.8*10^3 hours is roughly 3 * 10^3

Forget the powers for now and just work with the 1 and 3

1*3 equals 3.

10^3 * 10^3 = 10^6 when the base of two numbers is the same (10 in this case) then the powers are added.

10^ (3 + 3) = 10^6

So the answer is roughly 3*10^6

Now you can take out your calculator and get the answer.

1.3*10^3 * 2.8 * 10^3 = 3.64 * 10 ^ 6

Notice that the estimate (done in my head) is close enough to tell you what the answer should be. On a test, that's a very handy skill.