Astronomers measure large distances in light years. One light-year is the distance that light can travel in one year or approximately 5,880,000,000,000 miles. Suppose a star is 14.4 light years from earth. In scientific notation, how many miles away is it?
A- 1.44x10 12 (12 is an exposed)
B- 5.88x10 12 miles away (12 is once again an exponent
C- 8.4672x10 13 13 is an exponet
D- 5.88 x 10 13 (13 is an exponet)

Given : Astronomers measure large distances in light years. One light-year is the distance that light can travel in one year or approximately 5,880,000,000,000 miles.

Suppose a star is 14.4 light years from earth.

To find : How many miles away a star is from earth?

Solution :

In 1 light-year the distance a light can travel is = 5,880,000,000,000 miles.

or = [tex]5.88\times 10^{12}[/tex] miles

In 14.4 lights year the distance is [tex]=14.4\times (5.88\times10^{12})[/tex]

[tex]=84.672\times10^{12}[/tex]

or [tex]=8.4672\times10^{13}[/tex]

Therefore, Option C is correct - [tex]=8.4672\times10^{13}[/tex]