write (3.2 x 10^4) - (5 x 10^3) in standard form

In order to do this question you want to make sure that both parts of the subtraction are multiplied by the same power of 10.In this case let's make the second part in terms of 10^4. So it becomes 0.5 x 10^4 (as we move the decimal point along one place). Now that the powers of ten are he same we can simply minus the two smaller parts. So this equals (3.2-0.5) x 10^4 = 2.7 x 10^4 This is already in standard form so there is no need to move decimal points or change powers of ten.