## Power calculations

$c=\lambda v$

melissa_dis4K
Posts: 106
Joined: Fri Sep 28, 2018 12:28 am

### Power calculations

When I am calculating sometimes I get the wrong power on my calculator and was wondering if anyone knew why this is? I do make sure I input everything correctly and that I use parentheses.

Nicoline Breytenbach 3D
Posts: 46
Joined: Fri Sep 28, 2018 12:26 am
Been upvoted: 1 time

### Re: Power calculations

I sometimes have this same problem, and for me I've discovered it usually has to do with not converting everything to the right units before calculating. For instance leaving something as grams when it should be kilograms can lead to the right number answer except with the wrong power.

Katie Frei 1L
Posts: 64
Joined: Fri Sep 28, 2018 12:27 am

### Re: Power calculations

I have this problem often as well, so I usually just do the calculations without the powers, then figure out the powers separately, and then finally input them in to the final answer. This also helps me check my work and that I have the correct scientific notation.

Javier_Ochoa_DIS_3J
Posts: 33
Joined: Fri Sep 28, 2018 12:23 am

### Re: Power calculations

Make sure the use parentheses around your numbers.

For example instead of doing 9 x 10^3 times 3 x 10^2

You should input the numbers like this (9 x 10^3) times (3 x 10^2)

It is important when dividing and doing things other than just multiplying.

Peichung Chou 1A
Posts: 30
Joined: Fri Sep 28, 2018 12:21 am

### Re: Power calculations

Whenever you do these types of calculations, remember to always use proper parentheses placement. If parentheses are inserted correctly, it will throw off your calculations.

204765696
Posts: 23
Joined: Wed May 16, 2018 3:00 am

### Re: Power calculations

It can be for many reasons, however one of the common mistakes are placing parantheses in the right places. You should check that!

daniela3D
Posts: 19
Joined: Fri Sep 28, 2018 12:25 am

### Re: Power calculations

I actually had this problem too.
For instance: if you have a problem in which you are dividing make sure to solve one portion(bottom or top) instead of doing it all at once. Also, if you are dealing with problems that have the power of 10^3 there's a symbol on your calculator that has (EE which represents 10). This helps with equations so much! It is easier to identify where you went wrong when solving an equation.