Final answer:
To find the sum of the populations given in scientific notation, adjust the exponents to match, then add the coefficients and keep the common exponent. The sum of the populations 3.45 x 10^6 and 1.3 x 10^5 is 3.58 x 10^6.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question asks to add two populations given in scientific notation and express the sum also in scientific notation. The first city's population is 3.45 x 10^6, and the second city's population is 1.3 x 10^5. To find the sum in scientific notation, we need both numbers to have the same exponent.
First, we could change the exponent of the second number from 10^5 to 10^6 by multiplying 1.3 by 10^(-1), which would make the second population 0.13 x 10^6. Then, we add the two populations:
3.45 x 10^6 + 0.13 x 10^6 = (3.45 + 0.13) x 10^6
The sum of the two populations is 3.58 x 10^6.