What you’ll learn
Add/subtract scientific notation.
Key idea
Addition and subtraction require aligned powers; coefficient changes compensate exponent changes before combining quantities.
Align powers before combining coefficients; positive differences are preserved and accidental flawed-result coincidences excluded.
Worked example
Enter the exact value or ordered values in the format requested below.
Compute (1.1×10^0)-(1.1×10^-2). Enter the normalized scientific-notation result.
- Rewrite the second coefficient in units of 10^0: 1.1×10^-2=0.011×10^0.
- Combine aligned coefficients 1.1-0.011=1.089, then normalize to 1.089×10^0.
- For missing first coefficient x, x-0.011=1.089, yielding x=1.1.
Answer: 1.089×10^0
Quick Check
Evaluate a worked attempt at add/subtract scientific notation, identify the first invalid step, and provide the correction.
Compute (1.1×10^0)+(2.4×10^-1): Step 1 identifies two positive inputs. Step 2 combines coefficients without alignment to 3.5, adds exponents to -1, and reports (3.5)×10^-1. Locate the first invalid step and correct the result.