Question

the diameter of the sun is approximately 1.39×10^6 kilometers, while the diameter of the mercury is about 4.88×10^4 kilometers. approximately how many times greater is the suns diameter than mercurys diameter? 20 40 200 400

Explanation:

Step1: Set up the division

We need to divide the Sun's diameter by Mercury's diameter. So we have the expression $\frac{1.39\times 10^{6}}{4.88\times 10^{4}}$.

Step2: Separate the coefficients and exponents

Using the rule $\frac{a\times10^{m}}{b\times10^{n}}=\frac{a}{b}\times10^{m - n}$, we get $\frac{1.39}{4.88}\times10^{6 - 4}$.

Step3: Calculate the coefficient and exponent values

$\frac{1.39}{4.88}\approx0.285$, and $10^{6 - 4}=10^{2} = 100$. Then $0.285\times100 = 28.5\approx 30$, which is closest to 40 when considering the multiple - choice options.

Answer:

B. 40