Question

if venus is 30.9 mi farther from the sun than mercury, the the earth is 23.6 mi farther from the sun than venus. when the total of the distances for these plants from the sun is 199.4 mi, how far away from the sun is mercury?

Answer 1

Answer: The mercury is 38 mi far from sun.

Explanation:

Let x denotes the distance ( in mi )between the Sun and Mercury .

Distance from Venus to Sun = x+30.9

Distance from Earth = x+30.9+ 23.6 =x+30.9+ 23.6 =x+54.5

When the total of the distances for these plants from the sun is 199.4 mi.

According to the given statements , we have

`x+x+30.9+x+54.5=199.4`

`3x+85.4=199.4`

`3x=199.4-85.4=114`

`x=38` [Divide both sides by 3]

Hence, the mercury is 38 mi far from sun.