Question

Simplify the following expression. Express the answer in scientific notation and to the correct number of significant figures. (5.3 × 10⁴) + (1.3 × 10⁴)...

a) 6.6 × 10⁴
b) 6.6 × 10⁸
c) 6.60 × 10⁴
d) 7.0 × 10⁴

Answer 1

The expression (5.3 × 10⁴) + (1.3 × 10⁴) simplifies to 6.6 × 10⁴, which is already in correct scientific notation with two significant figures, aligning with the original numbers.

Step-by-step explanation:

To simplify the expression (5.3 × 10⁴) + (1.3 × 10⁴), we can add the numerical coefficients since the powers of 10 are the same. We get:

5.3 + 1.3 = 6.6

So the simplified expression is 6.6 × 10⁴. Looking at the options given, the correct scientific notation respecting the significant figures from the original numbers would be:

Option a) 6.6 × 10⁴

It is important to match the number of significant figures, which in this case both original numbers had two significant figures, hence our final answer has two as well.