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Hey /sci/, i've got a guy in my college classes asking the usual question "what would this ever be used for" for large numbers in the form of smaller exponential numbers. So for reference, the Saturn V rocket came up (somehow).
Math Time.
The fuel carried (more listed as we go) was 203,400 gallons of Kerosene weighing in at (rough numbers due to varying temperature scales) 6.82 pounds per gallon.
203,400 x 6.82 = 1,387,188
Liquid Oxygen; First stage 318,000, second stage 80,000, third stage 19,360
318,000 + 80,000 + 19,360 = 417,360 weighing in at 9.527 pounds per gallon.
417,360 x 9.527 = 3,976,188.72.
Liquid Hydrogen (no first stage) second stage 260,000 gallons, third stage 66,700 gallons. 260,000 + 66,700 = 326,700 gallons weighing in at .567 pounds per gallon.
326,700 x .567 = 185,238.9
so adding all fuel weights: 185,238.9 + 3,976,188.72 + 1,387,188 = 5,548,615.62.
The total weight when fully fueled is said to be 6,500,000 pounds, and designed to carry the + 90,000 in cargo.
6,590,000 - 5,548,615.62 = 1,041,384.38
i've lost myself and have no idea what im doing with this anymore, give me a moment to collect my thoughts
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ok so the point would be explaining that big numbers like 5,548,615.62 could be rounded up to let's say 5,550,000 ok? but to simplify that it could be written as 555 x 10^3 if i'm not mistaken.... maybe to the exponent of 4, my brain is shitting itself right now. it's easier to write it with that exponent than the whole number.
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lol what are you doing
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>>8712358
at this point dude i dont even know. i've lost myself
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>>8712356
you only really need to use scientific notation to for the final answer if the number is to big to be written as it is
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>>8712349
So you're finding the mass fraction of the Saturn V to derive its delta V for each stage?
Just use scientific or engineering notation because it is fucking useful.
Without it you're stuck counting zeros. Also it lets you sanity check to make sure your answer has a meaningful order of magnitude.
Plus once you work with logarithms and exponents you'll love it.
10^x and log(x) are superior to e^x and ln(x). Calculus 2 faggots can go hang themselves.
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>>8712360
If you want to know what's happening to you: You're having your very first brain baby! It's gonna suck but you're already in labor, so keep pushing that sunuvabitch out!
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I get the feeling you're stoned right now. But it would help if you used a spreadsheet and formulae to keep tabs on all this.
But seeing as how you're in an altered state, just watch a good sci-fi flick and wait till you're sober again.
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