1. **State the problem:** Calculate $\left(6 \times 10^4\right)^2 - \left(4 \times 10^8\right)$ and express the answer in standard form. 2. **Square the first term:** $$\left(6 \times 10^4\right)^2 = 6^2 \times \left(10^4\right)^2 = 36 \times 10^{8}$$ 3. **Rewrite the expression:** $$36 \times 10^{8} - 4 \times 10^{8}$$ 4. **Factor out $10^8$:** $$10^{8} \times (36 - 4) = 10^{8} \times 32$$ 5. **Express in standard form:** Standard form requires a number between 1 and 10 multiplied by a power of 10. $$32 \times 10^{8} = 3.2 \times 10^{1} \times 10^{8} = 3.2 \times 10^{9}$$ **Final answer:** $$3.2 \times 10^{9}$$