Final answer:
To evaluate 4.5x10^3 cm + 1.6x10^2 cm, we convert each term to standard numerical form to get 4500 cm and 160 cm, respectively. Adding these gives us the result of 4660 cm, preserving the two significant figures from the original terms.
Step-by-step explanation:
To evaluate the expression 4.5x10^3 cm + 1.6x10^2 cm, we first convert each term into standard numerical form, and then we add them together.
4.5x10^3 cm means 4500 cm, and 1.6x10^2 cm means 160 cm. Thus, adding them gives us 4500 cm + 160 cm = 4660 cm.
When dealing with significant figures, we don't need to modify these values since both terms originally had two significant figures, and our final answer also maintains this precision.