Explain how to add 2 × 10^4 and 3 × 10^3.

To add \(2 \times 10^4\) and \(3 \times 10^3\), convert them to the same power of ten first.

When adding numbers in scientific notation, it's easiest if they have the same power of ten. Here, we have \(2 \times 10^4\) and \(3 \times 10^3\). Notice that \(10^4\) is the same as \(10 \times 10^3\). So, we can rewrite \(2 \times 10^4\) as \(2 \times 10 \times 10^3\), which simplifies to \(20 \times 10^3\).

Now, we have \(20 \times 10^3\) and \(3 \times 10^3\). Since both terms are now expressed with the same power of ten, we can add the coefficients (the numbers in front of the powers of ten).

So, \(20 \times 10^3 + 3 \times 10^3 = (20 + 3) \times 10^3 = 23 \times 10^3\).

Finally, you can leave the answer as \(23 \times 10^3\) or convert it back to standard form if needed, which would be 23,000.