Putting Numbers into Perspective. A large number can be put into perspective by comparing...

Putting Numbers into Perspective. A large number can be put into perspective by comparing it with another number. For example, we put the $15.2 trillion national debt and the $2.17 trillion the government collected in taxes (Exercise) by comparing these numbers to the number of U.S. citizens.

For this project, each group member should consult an almanac, a newspaper, or the Internet to find a number greater than one million. Explain to other members of the group the context in which the large number is used. Express the number in scientific notation. Then put the number into perspective by comparing it with another number.

Exercise

The bar graph shows the total amount Americans paid in federal taxes, in trillions of dollars, and the U.S. population, in millions, from 2007 through 2010. Exercise are based on the numbers displayed by the graph.

a. In 2010, the United States government collected $2.17 trillion in taxes. Express this number in scientific notation.

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b. In 2010, the population of the United States was approximately 309 million. Express this number in scientific notation.

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c. Use your scientific notation answers from parts (a) and (b) to answer this question: If the total 2010 tax collections were evenly divided among all Americans, how much would each citizen pay? Express the answer in decimal notation, rounded to the nearest dollar.