(A) The total initial momentum of the system is
(1.30 kg) (27.0 m/s) + (23.0 kg) (0 m/s) = 35.1 kg•m/s
(B) Momentum is conserved, so that the total momentum of the system after the collision is
35.1 kg•m/s = (1.30 kg + 23.0 kg) v
where v is the speed of the combined blocks. Solving for v gives
v = (35.1 kg•m/s) / (24.3 kg) ≈ 1.44 m/s
(C) The kinetic energy of the system after the collision is
1/2 (1.30 kg + 23.0 kg) (1.44 m/s)² ≈ 25.4 J
and before the collision, it is
1/2 (1.30 kg) (27.0 m/s)² ≈ 474 J
so that the change in kinetic energy is
∆K = 25.4 J - 474 J ≈ -449 J