answersLogoWhite

0

You can only add numbers if they have the same exponent. If not, you need to scale them so that they do.

Add the mantissae of the numbers (these are the bits before the exponents). That is followed by the common exponent.

For example:

3.1*102 + 3.6*103 = 0.31*103 + 3.6*103 (now the exponents are the same)

= (0.31 + 3.6) *103 or 3.91*103

In this particular example, it is easy enough to check the answer:

3.1*100 + 3.6*1000 = 310 + 3600 = 3910 = 3.91*1000 = 3.91*103

User Avatar

Wiki User

11y ago

What else can I help you with?

Related Questions

When multiplying numbers in scientific notation what do you do with the exponent?

Add them


When dividing numbers in scientific notation what do you do with the exponents?

You subtract the exponent of the divisor from that of the dividend.


What exponent are all numbers are understood to have?

1, if the exponent is not shown.


How do you combine same variables with different powers?

If the numbers are being multipled or divided then you add or subtract the exponent values, respectively.


Is it possible to add or subtract two numbers in scientific notification when they do not have the same power?

Not unles you have a calculator. To add by hand, you need to convert to a common exponent, which is pretty straightforward


How do you addsubtractmultiply and divide written in scientific notation?

First you have to set it to the same power of 10. Then it can easily be added or subtracted. To multiply, you just multiply the given values and add the exponent. To divide, you divide the numbers and subtract the exponent.


What is an exponent of an exponent?

The question is not specific enough. The word exponent has several meanings. Thus, an exponent of an exponent could refer to a person who is an expert promoter of the mathematical concept of the indices or powers of numbers.


Will prime factorization help find the number of factors of any number?

Write the prime factorization with exponents. Add 1 to each exponent. (Numbers without exponents actually have the exponent 1.) Multiply them together. That will be the number of factors.


When is the exponent negative?

When you subtract it from a bigger exponent of another number by dividing two numbers with exponents.


How do you add and subtract numbers using scientific notation?

To add or subtract numbers in scientific notation you first need to equalise their exponents. Having done that, you carry out the addition or subtraction on the significands and append the common exponent. Then you adjust the exponent so that the significand is between 1 and 10. For example, 1.234*104 - 2.34*102 (equalise exponents) = 123.4*102 - 2.34*102 (carry out subtraction) = (123.4-2.34)*102 = 121.06*102 (adjust exponent) = 1.2106*104


When an exponent to a power is multiplied by an exponent is to a different power do you multiply the powers together?

No, you add the powers together.


What is the definition for division property of exponents?

When dividing numbers with exponents, subtract the bottom exponent from the top exponent.