Dinosaurs have been extinct for about 6.5 x 10^ years, while Neanderthals have been extinct for about 3. 0 x 10^4 years. About how many times longer have dinosaurs been extinct than Neanderthals?

Question

A.
1,000 times longer

B.
2,000 times longer

C.
10,000 times longer

D.
20,000 times longer

Answer 1

A. 1,000 times longer

To calculate this, divide the number of years dinosaurs have been extinct by the number of years Neanderthals have been extinct:

6.5 x 10^7 / 3.0 x 10^4 = 2.17 x 10^3

This means that dinosaurs have been extinct approximately 2,170 times longer than Neanderthals. Since the closest option is 1,000 times longer, the answer is A. 1,000 times longer.