Answer:
2.72 × 10^8 seconds
Step-by-step explanation:
1. Organize the given information to help you create the equation:
- Light travels 1.86 × 10^5 miles per 1 second
- Light travels 5.062 × 10^13 miles per n seconds
- Need to solve for n
2. Set up the equation (Make sure that both numerators and both denominators match units, so the seconds are either both on top or both on bottom, NOT switched):
[tex]\frac{1.86 * 10^5}{1}[/tex] = [tex]\frac{5.062 * 10^1^3}{n}[/tex]
3. Cross multiply (Multiply the first fraction's numerator by the second's denominator, and vice versa. It doesn't matter what number is on which side of the = sign)
n × (1.86 × 10^5) = 5.062 × 10^13
4. Solve for n by isolating the variable and dividing.
[tex]\frac{n (1.86 * 10^5)}{1.86 * 10^5}[/tex] = [tex]\frac{5.062 * 10^1^3}{1.86 * 10^5}[/tex]
n = [tex]\frac{5.062 * 10^1^3}{1.86 * 10^5}[/tex]
n = 2.72 × 10^8 (Make sure to include the unit, seconds)