To find the sum of [tex]$16896.02 and $[/tex]578.7, follow these steps:
1. Align the decimal points of the two numbers for better clarity.
```
16896.02
+ 578.70
```
2. Add the numbers column by column, starting from the rightmost digit.
3. First, add the hundredths place:
```
2 (hundredths) + 0 (hundredths) = 2 (hundredths)
```
4. Next, add the tenths place:
```
0 (tenths) + 7 (tenths) = 7 (tenths)
```
5. Now, move to the integer part and add the numbers in the units place:
```
6 (units) + 8 (units) = 14
```
Write down 4 and carry over 1.
6. Add the tens place, incorporating the carryover:
```
9 (tens) + 7 (tens) + 1 (carryover) = 17
```
Write down 7 and carry over 1.
7. Move to the hundreds place:
```
8 (hundreds) + 5 (hundreds) + 1 (carry over) = 14
```
Write down 4 and carry over 1.
8. Move to the thousands place:
```
6 (thousands) + 0 (thousands) + 1 (carry over) = 7
```
9. Finally, add the units in the ten thousands place:
```
1 (ten thousands) + 0 (no number to add, so it's just 1) = 1
```
Combining all the digits together, we get:
```
17474.72
```
Therefore, the sum of [tex]$16896.02 and $[/tex]578.7 is $17474.72.
