Question

which measurement is most likely the closest estimate of the distance from earth to the moon?
a. $0.024 \times 10^5$ miles
b. $2.4 \times 10^1$ miles
c. $2.4 \times 10^5$ miles
d. $0.24 \times 10^1$ miles

Explanation:

Step1: Simplify each option

• Option A: $0.024\times10^{5}=2400$ miles (since $0.024\times10^{5}=0.024\times100000 = 2400$)
• Option B: $2.4\times10^{1}=24$ miles
• Option C: $2.4\times10^{5}=240000$ miles (since $2.4\times10^{5}=2.4\times100000 = 240000$)
• Option D: $0.24\times10^{1}=2.4$ miles

Step2: Recall the actual distance

The actual average distance from Earth to the Moon is about 238,855 miles, which is closest to $2.4\times10^{5}$ miles (240000 miles) among the given options.

Answer:

C. $2.4 \times 10^5$ miles