Final answer:
The sum of 4.4 × 10⁴ and 12.3 × 10⁴ is 16.7 × 10⁴ in scientific notation. The correct answer is not listed in the provided options as none of them represent the calculated sum of 16.7 × 10⁴. Option number b is correct.
Step-by-step explanation:
To determine the sum of 4.4 × 10⁴ and 12.3 × 10⁴ in scientific notation, first recognize that both numbers are already expressed in scientific notation with the same exponent of ten.
Therefore, you can directly add the coefficients (4.4 and 12.3) together and retain the exponent.
Adding the coefficients gives us 4.4 + 12.3 = 16.7. Thus, the sum in scientific notation is 16.7 × 10⁴.
Now, look at the answer choices to find the one that matches the sum we have calculated.
- A. 16.7 × 10⁸ (Incorrect, different exponent)
- B. 1.67 × 10⁵ (Incorrect, coefficient is not 16.7)
- C. – 7.9 × 10⁴ (Incorrect, wrong sign and value)
- D. 54.12 × 10⁴ (Incorrect, coefficient is not 16.7)
Therefore, the correct answer is not listed in your options. The sum of 4.4 × 10⁴ and 12.3 × 10⁴ is 16.7 × 10⁴, which should be an additional option aside from the given choices.