An asteroid is heading towards mars at a 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.

Answer 1

To find the time it will take for the asteroid to reach Mars, we need to divide the distance by the rate at which it is moving:

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 / 7.7) x 10^(8-4)

Time = 0.429 x 10^4

Time in scientific notation, expressed to the exact decimal place, is approximately 4.29 x 10^3 hours.