Simplifying the Expression: (2 x 10^3) + (5 x 10^5)
This expression involves scientific notation, a convenient way to represent very large or very small numbers. Let's break down the steps to simplify it:
Understanding Scientific Notation
In scientific notation, a number is written as the product of a coefficient (a number between 1 and 10) and a power of 10. For example:
- 2 x 10^3 represents 2 multiplied by 10 raised to the power of 3, which is equal to 2000.
- 5 x 10^5 represents 5 multiplied by 10 raised to the power of 5, which is equal to 500,000.
Performing the Calculation
- Identify the exponents: In this case, the exponents are 3 and 5.
- Ensure the exponents are the same: To add these terms, they need to have the same exponent. We can rewrite (2 x 10^3) as (0.02 x 10^5)
- Add the coefficients: Now we have (0.02 x 10^5) + (5 x 10^5). Adding the coefficients gives us (0.02 + 5) x 10^5 = 5.02 x 10^5
The Result
Therefore, (2 x 10^3) + (5 x 10^5) = 5.02 x 10^5. This represents the number 502,000 in scientific notation.