1. **State the problem:** We need to add two numbers given in scientific notation: $5.2 \times 10^7$ and $3.01 \times 10^4$. 2. **Rewrite the numbers with the same power of 10:** The first number is $5.2 \times 10^7$. To add, express the second number with the same exponent: $$3.01 \times 10^4 = 0.000301 \times 10^7$$ 3. **Add the coefficients:** $$5.2 + 0.000301 = 5.200301$$ 4. **Write the result in scientific notation:** $$5.200301 \times 10^7$$ 5. **Round to reasonable significant figures if needed:** The original numbers have three significant figures, so round to three or five significant digits: $$5.20301 \times 10^7$$ **Final answer:** $5.20301 \times 10^7$