If the Atlantic Ocean is widening at a rate of 3 cm per year, how far (in miles) will it spread in a million years? (1 point) Responses 30 miles 30 miles 1.9 miles 1.9 miles 18.6 miles 18.6 miles 186.4 miles

Answer 1

To calculate how far the Atlantic Ocean will widen in a million years, we can use the following steps:

1. The rate of widening is 3 cm per year.

2. A million years is \(1,000,000\) years.

3. The total widening in centimeters over a million years is: \[ 3 , \text{cm/year} \times 1,000,000 , \text{years} = 3,000,000 , \text{cm} \]

4. Now, we need to convert centimeters to miles. There are 100,000 cm in a kilometer and about 0.621371 miles in a kilometer. First, we convert centimeters to kilometers: \[ 3,000,000 , \text{cm} \div 100,000 , \text{cm/km} = 30 , \text{km} \]

5. Next, we convert kilometers to miles: \[ 30 , \text{km} \times 0.621371 , \text{miles/km} \approx 18.64 , \text{miles} \]

So, the Atlantic Ocean will spread approximately 18.6 miles in a million years. Thus, the correct response is 18.6 miles.