Final answer:
The sum of (6.2x10³) + (5.1x10⁷) is (5.10062x10⁷), or option b). We convert the smaller number to have the same exponent for addition and simply add the decimal parts together.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student has asked to calculate the result of the sum (6.2x10³) + (5.1x10⁷).
First, we need to express both numbers with the same exponent base for addition. Since (5.1x10⁷) is the larger number with a higher exponent, we will convert (6.2x10³) to a number with an exponent of 7. To do this, we move the decimal point four places to the left in 6.2 and increase the exponent by four:
6.2x10³ = 0.00062x10⁷
Now, we add the two numbers:
5.1x10⁷ + 0.00062x10⁷ = (5.1 + 0.00062)x10⁷
Adding the decimal parts:
5.10062x10⁷
This is the result in scientific notation and corresponds to option b) 5.10062x10⁷.