Calculate the average rate of change over the intervals [0, 20] and [60, 80]. what does the average rate on these intervals tell you about the balloon’s journey?

not only in mathematics, scientific proof also are required in the other field of science. also maths proofs are of particular structure, containing steps and logics. so proving is like doing science, it is science. that's why it is important to prove. 

an inaccurate proof leads to errors, or stating results that are not accurate.  which wil mess the probelm up you dont want this

the largest number of the four options is 1.8 x 10-2

you have it in scientific notation.

1.80 x 10-6   = 0.00000180

1.80 x 10-4   = 0.000180 (bigger, or "less small", than the former one)

so

1.8 x 10-2       = 0.0180. as you see. the "less small", or the biggest one of them all.

as you have negative exponent, it means you are dividing 1.8 by 100 (i.e. moving the dot towards left, two times).

if you had positive exponent for the scientific notation, power of tenths, you would be multiplying times 100 (moving the dot towards right) as below:

1.8 x (10)2 = 180

so. if you have negative exponent in scientific notation, move the dot toward left. if it is positive, toward right as many times the exponent tells you.