Adding and Subtracting in Scientific Notation Math 8

Adding/Subtracting in Scientific Notation When adding or subtracting with scientific notation, you must express the numbers as the same power of 10. This will often require that the decimal be moved.

Example 2.45 x 10³ + 3.2 x 10² Step 1: Move the decimal to 3.2 to .32 Moving this decimal changes the exponent. 10² is now 10³ because you moved the decimal one more place to the left.

Example 2.77 x 10 ³ is the final answer Now we have 2.45 x 10³ + 0.32 x 10³ Both numbers now have the same power of 10! Add the coefficients and leave the base and exponent the same. 2.45 + .32 = 2.77 x 10 ³ 2.77 x 10 ³ is the final answer