To determine how many times larger \( 9 \times 10^5 \) is than \( 5 \times 10^3 \), we can set up the division of the two numbers:
\[ \frac{9 \times 10^5}{5 \times 10^3} \]
We can simplify this expression:
- Divide the coefficients: \( \frac{9}{5} = 1.8 \)
- Divide the powers of 10: \( \frac{10^5}{10^3} = 10^{5-3} = 10^2 \)
Now combine these results:
\[ 1.8 \times 10^2 = 1.8 \times 100 = 180 \]
Thus, \( 9 \times 10^5 \) is 180 times larger than \( 5 \times 10^3 \).
The correct answer is 180.