Question

How do you add `(5.4xx10^6) + (12.5xx10^2)`?

Answer 1

The answer is `5.40125xx10^6`.

Both numbers must have the same exponent, which is done by moving the decimal of one number in order to change the exponent.

To change the exponent on `12.5xx10^2` from 2 to 6, move the decimal to the left 4 places so the number is now `0.00125xx10^6`, and now you can add the two numbers.

`5.4xx10^6+0.00125xx10^6=5.40125xx10^6`*

*Verified with a scientific calculator.