Question

Estimate the number of steps you would have to take to walk a distance equal to the circumference of the Earth. (We estimate that the length of a step for an average person is about 18 inches, or roughly 0.5 m. The radius of the Earth is 6.38 ✕ 106 m.)

Answer 1

8771408311 steps ( approx )

Explanation:

Given,

The radius of the earth,

`r=6.38* 10^6`

So, the circumference of the earth,

`S=2\pi (r)`

`=2* (22)/(7)* (6.38* 10^8)`

`=4.0102857143* 10^9\text{ meters}`

∵ 1 meter = 39.3701 inches

`\implies S =1.578853496* 10^(11)\text{ inches }`

Also, the length of one step = 18 inches

Hence, the total number of steps =
`(1.578853496* 10^(11))/(18)`

`= 8.7714083111* 10^9`

`\approx 8771408311`