An empty dump truck weighs about 2.8×105 pounds. How much does it weigh if 15,300 pounds of trash is added? The answer should be in scientific notation.

Answer 1

To find the weight of the dump truck when 15,300 pounds of trash is added, we need to add the two weights together.

2.8×105 pounds + 15,300 pounds

Let's first write the weight of the dump truck in scientific notation:

2.8×105 pounds = 2.8 × 10^5 pounds

Now we can add the weights:

2.8×105 pounds + 15,300 pounds = 2.8 × 10^5 pounds + 1.53 × 10^4 pounds

To combine the terms, we need them to have the same exponent in the power of 10. Thus, let's convert 1.53 × 10^4 pounds into scientific notation:

1.53 × 10^4 pounds = 1.53 × 10^4 × 10^1 pounds = 1.53 × 10^5 pounds

Now we can add:

2.8 × 10^5 pounds + 1.53 × 10^5 pounds = 4.33 × 10^5 pounds

Therefore, the weight of the dump truck when 15,300 pounds of trash is added is approximately 4.33 × 10^5 pounds in scientific notation.