Mastering Addition & Subtraction in Scientific Notation

A scientist measures the mass of two different asteroids. The first asteroid has a mass of 3.2 x 10^12 kg, and the second has a mass of 1.5 x 10^11 kg. What is the total mass of both asteroids in scientific notation?

• 4.0 x 10^12 kg

• 3.35 x 10^12 kg

• 3.7 x 10^12 kg

• 2.8 x 10^11 kg

A researcher is studying bacteria growth. The initial population of bacteria is 4.5 x 10^6. After a week, the population increases to 1.2 x 10^7. How many bacteria were added to the population?

• 8.0 x 10^6

• 1.0 x 10^7

• 7.5 x 10^6

• 5.0 x 10^6

A car manufacturer produces 2.3 x 10^5 cars in one year and 1.7 x 10^5 cars the next year. How many cars did they produce in total over the two years?

• 2.0 x 10^5

• 4.0 x 10^5

• 3.5 x 10^5

• 5.0 x 10^5

An astronomer observes two stars. The brightness of the first star is 5.6 x 10^3 lumens, and the second star is 2.4 x 10^4 lumens. What is the difference in brightness between the two stars?

• 2.0 x 10^3 lumens

• 1.84 x 10^4 lumens

• 3.0 x 10^4 lumens

• 1.5 x 10^4 lumens

A factory produces 3.1 x 10^8 widgets in one month and 2.5 x 10^8 widgets the next month. How many widgets were produced in total?

• 3.1 x 10^8

• 5.6 x 10^8

• 4.5 x 10^8

• 6.1 x 10^8

A biologist records the number of cells in two samples. Sample A has 6.7 x 10^5 cells, and Sample B has 2.3 x 10^6 cells. How many more cells are in Sample B than in Sample A?

• 2.0 x 10^6

• 5.5 x 10^5

• 1.63 x 10^6

• 1.7 x 10^6

A satellite orbits Earth at an altitude of 4.5 x 10^7 meters. If another satellite orbits at 2.1 x 10^7 meters, what is the difference in their altitudes?

• 5.6 x 10^7 meters

• 2.4 x 10^7 meters

• 3.0 x 10^7 meters

• 1.5 x 10^7 meters

A computer can process 1.2 x 10^9 calculations per second. If a new model can process 3.4 x 10^9 calculations per second, how many more calculations can the new model process?

• 2.2 x 10^9

• 1.2 x 10^9

• 3.4 x 10^9

• 5.6 x 10^9

A city has a population of 8.5 x 10^5 people. If the population increases by 1.2 x 10^5 people, what will be the new population in scientific notation?

• 9.0 x 10^5

• 8.5 x 10^5

• 9.7 x 10^5

• 1.0 x 10^6

A geologist measures the depth of two different layers of soil. The first layer is 3.4 x 10^2 cm deep, and the second layer is 1.1 x 10^3 cm deep. What is the total depth of both layers in scientific notation?

• 1.44 x 10^3 cm

• 3.5 x 10^2 cm

• 1.0 x 10^4 cm

• 1.2 x 10^3 cm