Question

Light travels at 186,000 miles per second. Light takes about 11⁄3 seconds to travel from the earth to the moon. Calculate the distance between the earth and the moon based on the speed of light.

Answer 1

682,000 miles

Explanation:

Using the ratio of 186,000 miles per second:

`(miles)/(second)=(186,000)/(1)`

we can set up a proportion (equivalent ratios) to find the distance, in miles, from the earth to the moon

`(186,000)/(1)=(x)/((11)/(3))` where 'x' is the number of miles between the earth and the moon

Cross-multiply: x = 186,000*
`(11)/(3)`

Solve for x = 682,000 miles