Question

What is the correct result in scientific notation for the expression (8.9 x 10^5) + (8.4 x 10^5)?

a) 1.73 x 10^6
b) 1.73 x 10^10
c) 17.3 x 10^5
d) 1.73 x 10^4

Answer 1

The correct result in scientific notation for (8.9 x 10^5) + (8.4 x 10^5) is 1.73 x 10^6, which is option (a).

Step-by-step explanation:

To find the correct result in scientific notation for the expression (8.9 x 10^5) + (8.4 x 10^5), you first need to understand that since they have the same exponent for 10, you can simply add the coefficients (8.9 + 8.4).

8.9 + 8.4 = 17.3

Now, the result is 17.3 x 10^5. However, this is not in proper scientific notation because the coefficient must be between 1 and 10. To correct this, you would divide the coefficient by 10 and increase the exponent by 1:

17.3 x 10^5 = 1.73 x 10^(5+1) = 1.73 x 10^6

Therefore, the correct answer in proper scientific notation is 1.73 x 10^6, which corresponds to option (a).