An asteroid is heading toward Mars at the rate of 7.7 x 10^4 mi/hr. If the asteroid is 3.311 x 10^8 miles away from
mars, how many hours will it be before it hits Mars? Write the answer in scientific notation, expressed to the exact
decimal place. (1 point)
To find the time it will take for the asteroid to hit Mars, we divide the distance by the rate:
Time = Distance / Rate
Time = (3.311 x 10^8 miles) / (7.7 x 10^4 mi/hr)
To divide numbers in scientific notation, we divide the coefficients and subtract the exponents:
Time = 3.311 x 10^8 / 7.7 x 10^4
Time = 0.429 x 10^4
Now we rewrite 0.429 in scientific notation:
Time = 4.29 x 10^(-1) x 10^4
Now we add the exponents:
Time = 4.29 x 10^(4-1)
Time = 4.29 x 10^3
So it will take approximately 4.29 x 10^3 hours for the asteroid to hit Mars.