Question

Mars
Pluto
Average Distance from Sun
(Miles)
1.42 x 108
3.67 x 109
The average distance from Earth to the sun is defined as 1 astronomical unit.
What is the distance, in astronomical units, from Mars to Pluto? Round your answer
to the nearest tenth.

Answer 1

Given parameters:

Table of values

Planets                       Average distance from Sun(miles)

Mars                                                 1.42 x 10⁸

Pluto                                                 3.67 x 10⁹

The average distance from Earth to Sun is 93.08 x 10⁶ miles

   So:

            1 Astronomical unit = 93.08 x 10⁶ miles

Unknown;

Distance in Astronomical unit of Mars and Pluto.

                 Since :

                 93.08 x 10⁶ miles   =  1 Au

For Mars;

                 1.42 x 10⁸ miles  =   $\frac{1.42 x 10^{8} miles x 1Au}{93.08 x 10^{6} miles }$

                                             = 0.015 x 10²AU

                                             = 1.5AU

For Pluto:

                93.08 x 10⁶ miles   =  1 Au

                 3.67 x 10⁹ miles  = $\frac{3.67 x 10^{9} miles x 1Au}{93.08 x 10^{6} miles }$

                                              = 0.039428 x 10³AU

                                              = 39.428AU

               To the nearest tenth = 39.4AU

So the distance of Mars in AU is 1.5AU and Pluto is 39.4AU