Question

How do you evaluate `8\times 10^{2}+2\times 10^{-3}`?

Answer 1

See a solution process below:

Explanation:

First, rewrite the expression as:

`(8 xx 10^2) + (2 xx 10^3)`

Next, write the term on the left in standard terms. Because the exponent of the tens term is a `2` we need to move the decimal point 2 places to the right:

`800 + (2 xx 10^3)`

Then, write the term on the right in standard terms. Because the exponent of the tens term is a `-3` we need to move the decimal point 3 places to the left:

`800 + 0.002`

Now, add the two terms:

`800.002`

If necessary, we can write the number in scientific notation. We need to move the decimal point two places to the left so the exponent for the 10s term will be positive:

`8.00002 xx 10^2`