To determine which expression is equal to \( 5.1 \times 10^{-3} \), we need to evaluate each option individually:
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\( 2.2 \times 10^{-1} + 2.9 \times 10^{-2} \):
- Convert \( 2.2 \times 10^{-1} \) to a decimal: \( 2.2 \times 10^{-1} = 0.22 \)
- Convert \( 2.9 \times 10^{-2} \) to a decimal: \( 2.9 \times 10^{-2} = 0.029 \)
- Adding these two together: \[ 0.22 + 0.029 = 0.249 = 2.49 \times 10^{-1} \quad \text{(not equal)} \]
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\( 3.9 \times 10^{-3} + 1.2 \times 10^{-3} \):
- Convert these to the same exponent: \[ 3.9 \times 10^{-3} + 1.2 \times 10^{-3} = (3.9 + 1.2) \times 10^{-3} = 5.1 \times 10^{-3} \quad \text{(equal)} \]
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\( 3.5 \times 10^{3} + 1.6 \times 10^{-6} \):
- Convert \( 3.5 \times 10^{3} \): \( 3.5 \times 10^{3} = 3500 \)
- Convert \( 1.6 \times 10^{-6} \): \( 1.6 \times 10^{-6} = 0.0000016 \)
- Adding these together: \[ 3500 + 0.0000016 \quad \text{(not equal)} \]
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\( 2.9 \times 10^{-3} + 1.2 \times 10^{-3} \):
- Convert these to the same exponent: \[ 2.9 \times 10^{-3} + 1.2 \times 10^{-3} = (2.9 + 1.2) \times 10^{-3} = 4.1 \times 10^{-3} \quad \text{(not equal)} \]
The only expression equal to \( 5.1 \times 10^{-3} \) is:
\( 3.9 \times 10^{-3} + 1.2 \times 10^{-3} \).