A certain insect approximately 4x10^-2 inches long a second insect is a out 1.3*10^-1 what is the total length

Answer 1

To find the total length of the two insects, you can simply add their lengths together.

First, express the lengths in the same notation:

1. First insect: \( 4 \times 10^{-2} \) inches
2. Second insect: \( 1.3 \times 10^{-1} \) inches

Convert the second insect's length into the same power of ten as the first:

\[ 1.3 \times 10^{-1} = 1.3 \times 10^{-1} = 13 \times 10^{-2} \]

Now, you can add them:

\[ 4 \times 10^{-2} + 13 \times 10^{-2} = (4 + 13) \times 10^{-2} = 17 \times 10^{-2} \]

To express it in standard scientific notation:

\[ 17 \times 10^{-2} = 1.7 \times 10^{-1} \text{ inches} \]

So, the total length of the two insects is \( 1.7 \times 10^{-1} \) inches.