Question

an average person in the united states throws away $4.5 \times 10^2$ grams of trash per day. in 2013, there were about $3.2 \times 10^6$ people in the u.s.
about how many grams of trash were thrown away in the united states in 2013?
enter your answer by filling in the box.
$5.3 \times 10^{\square}$ g

Explanation:

Step1: Calculate daily total trash

$(4.5 \times 10^2) \times (3.2 \times 10^6) = (4.5 \times 3.2) \times 10^{2+6} = 14.4 \times 10^8 = 1.44 \times 10^9$ grams

Step2: Multiply by 2013 days (365)

$(1.44 \times 10^9) \times 365 = 1.44 \times 365 \times 10^9 = 525.6 \times 10^9 = 5.256 \times 10^{11}$

Step3: Round to match given coefficient

$5.256 \times 10^{11} \approx 5.3 \times 10^{11}$

Answer:

11