1. We are asked to compute the sum of the numbers $53 \times 10^{-4} + 32 \times 10^{-3} - 16 \times 10^{-5}$. 2. Convert all terms to the same power of ten for easier addition. Let's use $10^{-4}$: - $53 \times 10^{-4}$ stays as is. - $32 \times 10^{-3} = 32 \times 10 \times 10^{-4} = 320 \times 10^{-4}$. - $16 \times 10^{-5} = 16 \times 0.1 \times 10^{-4} = 1.6 \times 10^{-4}$. 3. Now sum the coefficients with $10^{-4}$: $$53 + 320 - 1.6 = 371.4$$ 4. Combine back: $$371.4 \times 10^{-4} = 0.03714$$ Final answer: $0.03714$