# In scientific notation, what is 20,000 + 3,400,000?

Aug 12, 2016

3.42×10^6

#### Explanation:

First add 20,000 with 3,400,000= 3,420,000

Put a decimal after 3 and count how many digits are present after 3 so that will be 3.42×10^6. Since 6 digits are present after the number 3 .we will express the no.6 as the power of 10. It is an easier way to express the large numbers in terms of 10.

Aug 12, 2016

$3.42 \times {10}^{6}$

#### Explanation:

The purpose of scientific notation is to avoid long, cumbersome calculations with lots of zeros.

In order to add numbers in scientific notation, they have to be expressed in the same power of 10.

Just as in algebra,
${x}^{6} + {x}^{8} \text{cannot be added , but " x^6 + x^6} c a n$

It is better to use the larger power of 10.

$3 , 400 , 000 = 3.4 \times {10}^{6}$

$20 , 000 = 2 \times {10}^{4} = 0 , 02 \times {10}^{6}$
(This is not correct standard form, but we need like terms to be able to add)

$\textcolor{red}{3.4} \times {10}^{6} + \textcolor{red}{0 , 02} \times {10}^{6} = \textcolor{red}{3.42} \times {10}^{6}$

$3.4 +$
$\underline{0.02}$
$3.42$