Adding and Subtracting

Numbers in Scientific Notation

Using Scientific Scientists must be able
Notation in to use very large and
Multiplication, very small numbers in
Division, Addition mathematical
and Subtraction calculations. As a
student in this class,
you will have to be
able to multiply, divide,
add and subtract
numbers that are
written in scientific
notation. Here are the
rules.
 When adding or
subtracting numbers in
scientific notation, the
exponents must be the
same.
 Adding/Subtracting when
Exponents are THE SAME

Step 1 - add/subtract the decimal

Step 2 – Bring down the given exponent

on the 10
Example 1
(2.56 X 103) + (6.964 X 103)

Step 1 - Add:
2.56 + 6.964 =
9.524

Step 2 – Bring down exponent :

9.524 x 103
Example 2
(9.49 X 105) – (4.863 X 105)

Step 1 - Subtract:
9.49 – 4.863 =
4.627

Step 2 – Bring down exponent:

4.627 x 105
 3 3
The sum of 5.6 x 10 and 2.4 x 10 is
3
A 8.0 x 10
6
B 8.0 x 10
-3
C 8.0 x 10
3
D 8.53 x 10
 3 3
The sum of 5.6 x 10 and 2.4 x 10 is
3
A 8.0 x 10
6
B 8.0 x 10
-3
C 8.0 x 10
3
D 8.53 x 10

The exponents are the

same, so add the
coefficients.
 3 3
8.0 x 10 minus 2.0 x 10 is
-3
A 6.0 x 10
0
B 6.0 x 10
3
C 6.0 x 10
3
D 7.8 x 10
 3 3
8.0 x 10 minus 2.0 x 10 is
-3
A 6.0 x 10
0
B 6.0 x 10
3
C 6.0 x 10
3
D 7.8 x 10
Adding/Subtracting when the
Exponents are DIFFERENT
• When adding or subtracting numbers
in scientific notation, the exponents
must be the same.
• If they are different, you must move
the decimal so that they will have the
same exponent.
 Moving the Decimal
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.
 Adding/Subtracting when the
Exponents are DIFFERENT
Step 1 – Rewrite so the exponents are the
same

Step 2 - add/subtract the decimal

Step 3 – Bring down the given exponent on

the 10
 Adding With Different
Exponents
• (4.12 x 106) + (3.94 x 104)
• (412 x 104) + (3.94 x 104)
• 412 + 3.94 = 415.94
• 415.94 x 104
• Express in proper form: 4.15 x 106
 Subtracting With Different
Exponents
• (4.23 x 103) – (9.56 x 102)
• (42.3 x 102) – (9.56 x 102)
• 42.3 – 9.56 = 32.74
• 32.74 x 102
• Express in proper form: 3.27 x 103
Example 3
(2.46 X 106) + (3.4 X 103)

Step 1 – Rewrite with the same exponents

3.4 X 103 
0.0034 X 103+3

New Problem: (2.46 X 106) + (0.0034 X 106)

Step 2 – Add decimals

2.46 + 0.0034 =
2.4634
Step 3 – Bring Down Exponents
2.4634 X 106
Example 4
(5.762 X 103) – (2.65 X 10-1)
Step 1 – Rewrite with the same exponents
2.65 X 10-1 
0.000265 X 10(-1+4)

New Problem : (5.762 X 103) – (0.000265 X 103)

Step 2 – Subtract Decimals

5.762 – 0.000265 =
5.762

Step 3 – Bring down decimals

5.762 X 103
 3 2
7.0 x 10 plus 2.0 x 10 is
3
A 9.0 x 10
5
B 9.0 x 10
3
C 7.2 x 10
2
D 7.2 x 10
 3 2
7.0 x 10 plus 2.0 x 10 is
3
A 9.0 x 10
5
B 9.0 x 10
3
C 7.2 x 10
2
D 7.2 x 10
 5 4
7.8 x 10 minus 3.5 x 10 is
5
A 7.45 x 10
4
B 4.3 x 10
6
C 4.3 x 10
10
D 4.3 x 10
 5 5
7.8 x 10 minus 3.5 x 10 is
5
A 7.45 x 10
4
B 4.3 x 10
6
C 4.3 x 10
10
D 4.3 x 10
Adding and Subtracting…
• The important thing to remember about
adding or subtracting is that the
exponents must be the same!
– If the exponents are not the same then it is
necessary to change one of the numbers
so that both numbers have the same
exponential value.
Practice
1) (3.45 x 103) + (6.11 x 103)

2) (4.12 x 106) + (3.94 x 104)

1) (8.96 x 107) – (3.41 x 107)

2) (4.23 x 103) – (9.56 x 102)