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Adding and Subtracting Numbers in Scientific Notation. Algebra I Seminar. Adding/Subtracting when Exponents are Equal. When the exponents are the same for all the numbers you are working with, add/subtract the base numbers then simply put the given exponent on the 10. Example 1.
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Adding and Subtracting Numbers in Scientific Notation Algebra I Seminar
Adding/Subtracting when Exponents are Equal • When the exponents are the same for all the numbers you are working with, add/subtract the base numbers then simply put the given exponent on the 10.
Example 1 • Given: 2.56 X 103 + 6.964 X 103 • Add: 2.56 + 6.964 = 9.524 • Answer: 9.524 X 103
Example 2 • Given: 9.49 X 105 – 4.863 X 105 • Subtract: 9.49 – 4.863 = 4.627 • Answer: 4.627 X 105
When adding or subtracting numbers in scientific notation, the exponents must be the same. • If they are different, you must move the decimal either right or left so that they will have the same exponent.
Moving the Decimal • For each move of the decimal to the right you have to add -1 to the exponent. • For each move of the decimal to the left you have to add +1 to the exponent.
Continued… • It does not matter which number you decide to move the decimal on, but remember that in the end both numbers have to have the same exponent on the 10.
Example 1 • Given: 2.46 X 106 + 3.476 X 103 • Shift decimal 3 places to the right for 106. • Move: 2460 X 106-3 • Add: 2460 X 103 + 3.476 X 103 • Answer: 2463.476 X 103 • Answer:2.463476 X 106
Example 2 • Given: 5.762 X 103 – 2.65 X 10-1 • Shift decimal 4 places to the left for 10-1. • Move: .000265 X 10(-1+4) • Subtract: 5.762 X 103-.000265 X 103 • Answer: 5.762 X 103