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felippemed
The age of certain granite rocks found in northwestern Canada is approximately \(1.2*10^{17}\) seconds. Which of the following is the closest to the age of theses rocks in years? (1 year is approximately \(3.2*10^7 seconds\).)

a) \(3.8*10^9\)
b) \(5.9*10^9\)
c) \(2.0*10^{10}\)
d) \(2.0*10^{11}\)
e) \(3.8*10^{11}\)


Time saving method:

Given: 1 year= 3.2*10^7
? years = 1.2*10^17

So 1.2*10^17/ 3.2*10^7= 12*10^16/3*10^7 =4*10^9

we approximated 3.2 to 3 for easier cal. since 3.2 > 3 our actual no of years has to be slightly less than 4*10^9

on checking ans choices. Option A has 3.8*10^9 which is closer to 4*10^9

Saves time to approximate .

Correct Ans - A

Hope that helps!
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felippemed
The age of certain granite rocks found in northwestern Canada is approximately \(1.2*10^{17}\) seconds. Which of the following is the closest to the age of theses rocks in years? (1 year is approximately \(3.2*10^7 seconds\).)

a) \(3.8*10^9\)
b) \(5.9*10^9\)
c) \(2.0*10^{10}\)
d) \(2.0*10^{11}\)
e) \(3.8*10^{11}\)

\(\frac{1.2*10^{17}}{3.2*10^7}\)
= \(\frac{3}{8}*10^{10}\)
= \(0.375 *10^{10}\)
= \(3.75 * 10^9\)

Closest answer is A.
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Classic conversion we all know and love:

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How does 1.2 * 10^17 become 12 * 10^16, shouldn't it be 12 *10^17 since (1.2 * 10^1= moves decimal to the right) * 10^17 (therefore 10^ 17+1)
Kinshook
felippemed
The age of certain granite rocks found in northwestern Canada is approximately \(1.2*10^{17}\) seconds. Which of the following is the closest to the age of theses rocks in years? (1 year is approximately \(3.2*10^7 seconds\).)

a) \(3.8*10^9\)
b) \(5.9*10^9\)
c) \(2.0*10^{10}\)
d) \(2.0*10^{11}\)
e) \(3.8*10^{11}\)

The age of certain granite rocks found in northwestern Canada is approximately \(1.2*10^{17}\) seconds. Which of the following is the closest to the age of theses rocks in years? (1 year is approximately \(3.2*10^7 seconds\).)

Age in years = 12*10^{16}/3.2*10^7 = 3.8 * 10^9 years

IMO A
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shori345
How does 1.2 * 10^17 become 12 * 10^16, shouldn't it be 12 *10^17 since (1.2 * 10^1= moves decimal to the right) * 10^17 (therefore 10^ 17+1)
Kinshook
felippemed
The age of certain granite rocks found in northwestern Canada is approximately \(1.2*10^{17}\) seconds. Which of the following is the closest to the age of theses rocks in years? (1 year is approximately \(3.2*10^7 seconds\).)

a) \(3.8*10^9\)
b) \(5.9*10^9\)
c) \(2.0*10^{10}\)
d) \(2.0*10^{11}\)
e) \(3.8*10^{11}\)

The age of certain granite rocks found in northwestern Canada is approximately \(1.2*10^{17}\) seconds. Which of the following is the closest to the age of theses rocks in years? (1 year is approximately \(3.2*10^7 seconds\).)

Age in years = 12*10^{16}/3.2*10^7 = 3.8 * 10^9 years

IMO A

How can it be 12 * 10^17? That would mean 1.2 * 10^17 = 12 * 10^17, or 1.2 = 12, which is wrong.

The correct conversion is:

1.2 * 10^17 = 1.2 * 10 * 10^16 = 12 * 10^16.
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Ahhh yes understood. Thanks Bunuel!
Bunuel
How can it be 12 * 10^17? That would mean 1.2 * 10^17 = 12 * 10^17, or 1.2 = 12, which is wrong.

The correct conversion is:

1.2 * 10^17 = 1.2 * 10 * 10^16 = 12 * 10^16.
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