Sure! If you want to add numbers in scientific notation, it's important that they have the same exponent. Let's consider you might want to add the diameter of a human hair (4 x 10^-8 inches) to another number in scientific notation.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to perform addition in scientific notation:
Step 1: Make sure the exponents are the same.
- If they are not, you will need to adjust one of the numbers so that they match.
Step 2: Add the coefficients.
- Once the exponents are the same, you can simply add the coefficients.
Step 3: Write the result in scientific notation.
- If necessary, adjust the result so that the coefficient is between 1 and 10.
Example
Let’s say you want to add another small length, for instance, 2 x 10^-8 inches to the diameter of the hair.
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Write down the numbers:
\( 4 \times 10^{-8} + 2 \times 10^{-8} \) -
Since both numbers have the same exponent (-8), you can directly add the coefficients:
\( (4 + 2) \times 10^{-8} = 6 \times 10^{-8} \) -
Final Result:
The sum is \( 6 \times 10^{-8} \) inches.
Feel free to provide specific numbers or ask for more problems if needed!
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