Why is the 10 μF capacitor causing extreme confusion?

[flyingpig]

Homework Statement

[PLAIN]http://img27.imageshack.us/img27/6946/unledyh.png


My question is

1) What in the world is 10^-5 ? Shouldn't it be 10^-6?
2) I know they already explained why it is the 10uF Capacitor, but could someone massage it further for me? I am an idiot

Also, I know I being picky, but shouldn't it be an inequality sign of $$\leq$$

 

[SammyS]

1) 10^-5 = 10 × 10^-6. I presume the units should be μF. I'd take a point from the person writing the solutions. LOL !

It's an equal sign because they asked for the maximum.

Added in Edit:

After more carefully reading the statement about the capacitors, I agree that the answer should have the inequality you suggested.

It doesn't say that can each withstand 100V, it says none can withstand more than 100V.

 

[SammyS]

I would approach this a bit differently.

Since the capacitors are in series, each will have the same charge. Therefore, the one with the least capacitance (the 10 μF capacitor) will have the greatest voltage (potential) across it, namely 100 Volts. Use this to find the charge on the 10 μF capacitor, and thus each of the others. Then find the voltage across each of them and take the sum.