Answer:
3.83 * 10^6
Explanation:
When adding exponents, both the exponents and the bases should be the same. In this scenario, the bases are the same but not the exponents. What we should do is to decrease or increase one of the exponents and shift the decimal point over in one of the numbers to either left or right. I like to think of decrease, increase, and shifts as inward shifts and outward shifts when dealing with exponents in scenarios like this one. When I increase an exponet by an amount of times, the decimal point shifts left by the same amount of times. That's an outward shift. When the exponet decreases by an amount of times, the decimal point shifts right by the same amount of times. That's an in ward shift. There are two ways that we can simplify this scenario.
Way One:
(2.3 * 10^5) + (3.6 * 10^6)
(1) Raise the exponent 5 to 6 and move the decimal point in 2.3 to the left once. Now the bases and exponents are equal.
(0.23 * 10^6) + (3.6 * 10^6)
(2) Now add 0.23 and 3.6 then keep 10^6 for your exponential scenario.
3.83 * 10^6
(3) Check to make sure that there is only one number before the decimal. (in this case there is just one number before the decimal)
Final Answer: 3.83 * 10^6
Way Two:
(2.3 * 10^5) + (3.6 * 10^6)
(1) Decrease the exponent 6 to 5 and move the decimal point in 3.6 to the right once. Now the bases and exponents are equal.
(2.3 * 10^5) + (36 * 10^5)
(2) Now add 2.3 and 36 then keep 10^5 for your exponential scenario.
38.3 * 10^5
(3) Check to make sure that there is only one number before the decimal. (in this case there are two numbers before the decimal point; more steps!)
Not Yet Complete: 38.3 * 10^5
(4) Move the decimal point over until there is only one number before the decimal point and raise the exponent 5 to 6. (use the outward shift process!)
3.83 * 10^6
(5) Check for any flaws in your answers. (none left! we are done!)
Final Answer: 3.83 * 10^6
Overall, whatever way you choose to do this, you will get the same answer. I hope this helps and let me know if I am wrong! :D