Final answer:
The total weight of the two animals is 1.2 x 10^3 lbs when represented in scientific notation with the correct number of significant digits, adhering to the precision of the least precise measurement.
Step-by-step explanation:
To find the total weight of two animals whose weights are given in scientific notation, you simply add the two values together. The weights are 5.12 x 102 lbs. and 6.8 x 102 lbs. When we add these two numbers, we get:
5.12 x 102 + 6.8 x 102 = (5.12 + 6.8) x 102
To maintain the correct number of significant digits, we note that the least precise measurement, 6.8 x 102, has two significant digits. Therefore, our final answer should also contain two significant digits:
5.12 + 6.8 = 11.92
However, to express this in scientific notation with two significant digits, we round 11.92 to 12 and represent it as 1.2 x 103. So, the total weight in scientific notation is:
1.2 x 103 lbs