# Math Help - scientific exponent

1. ## scientific exponent

Typical mass of polypeptide is between 1000 and 10 000.

How much bigger than this range of sizes is a polypeptide of 6.864*10^29???

2. Originally Posted by orsonik
Typical mass of polypeptide is between 1000 and 10 000.

How much bigger than this range of sizes is a polypeptide of 6.864*10^29???
i'm not sure i get the question, wouldn't we just take the difference here?

so it would be between $6.864 \times 10^{29} - 10000$ and $6.864 \times 10^{29} - 1000$

(i leave simplifying those answers to you)

3. Originally Posted by orsonik
Typical mass of polypeptide is between 1000 and 10 000. Mr F asks: UNITS?????

How much bigger than this range of sizes is a polypeptide of 6.864*10^29???
If you're looking for order of magnitude argument, then 6.864*10^29 ~ 10^30. 1000 = 10^3 and 10000 = 10^4 ...... So a polypeptide of mass 6.864*10^29 mass units is roughly 10^26 to 10^27 times larger than the typical mass.

A feel for order of magnitude is a very valuable and very neglected skill - especially in the sciences. As is giving the unit associated with a number ...... Sadly the focus is all too often solely on getting a number, sod the unit ....... All comment welcome.