A certain insect is approximately 4x10^-2 inches long. A second insect is about 1.3x10^-1 inches long. What is the total length of the two insects in inches? Use the scientific notation to express your answer to 1 decimal place
To find the total length of the two insects, you need to add their lengths.
First insect: 4 x 10^-2 inches
Second insect: 1.3 x 10^-1 inches
To add these lengths, we need to rewrite them in the same power of 10.
4 x 10^-2 = 0.04 inches (since 10^-2 = 0.01)
1.3 x 10^-1 = 0.13 inches (since 10^-1 = 0.1)
Now, adding the lengths:
0.04 inches + 0.13 inches = 0.17 inches
So, the total length of the two insects is 0.17 inches, expressed in scientific notation as 1.7 x 10^-1.