Question

An astronomer measures the distance from earth to a newly-discovered asteroid. The distance is ×8.4711010m . What is the distance in gigameters? Write your answer as a decimal

Answer 1

The distance from earth to a newly-discovered asteroid. = 8.4711010 m

We have to convert this distance into gigameters.

Since 1 gigameter = $1000000000 = 10^9$ meters

So, to convert the unit meter to gigameter, we have to divide the given number by $10^9$.

Therefore, 8.4711010 m = $8.4711010 \div 10^9$

= $\frac{84711010 \times 10^-7} {10^9}$

= $\frac{84711010} {10^{16}}$

= $\frac{8471101} {10^{15}}$

= ${8471101 \times {10^{-15}}$ gigameters

Therefore, there are ${8471101 \times {10^{-15}}$ gigameters in 8.4711010 m.