To convert the distance from miles to centimeters, we can use dimensional analysis. We'll use the following conversion factors:
- 1 mile = 5280 feet
- 1 foot = 12 inches
- 1 inch = 2.54 centimeters
Now we can set up the conversion:
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Start with the distance in miles: \[ \text{Distance} = 16.25 , \text{mi} \]
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Convert miles to feet: \[ 16.25 , \text{mi} \times \frac{5280 , \text{ft}}{1 , \text{mi}} = \frac{16.25 \times 5280 , \text{ft}}{1} = 85800 , \text{ft} \]
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Convert feet to inches: \[ 85800 , \text{ft} \times \frac{12 , \text{in}}{1 , \text{ft}} = \frac{85800 \times 12 , \text{in}}{1} = 1029600 , \text{in} \]
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Convert inches to centimeters: \[ 1029600 , \text{in} \times \frac{2.54 , \text{cm}}{1 , \text{in}} = \frac{1029600 \times 2.54 , \text{cm}}{1} = 2616214.4 , \text{cm} \]
Putting it all together, the distance from Santa Maria to Los Alamos in centimeters is: \[ \text{Distance} = 2616214.4 , \text{cm} \]
Thus, the final answer is: \[ \mathbf{2616214.4 , cm} \]