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Due to continental drift, Africa and South America are moving away from each other at a rate of 4 centimeters per year. The two coasts are currently separated by 5,000 km. Assuming this drift rate is constant, how long ago were the coasts touching? Give your answer in millions of years.

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Answer:

In millions it will be 125 million years.

Explanation:

Due to continental drift, Africa and South America are moving away from each other at a rate of 4 centimeters per year.

The two coasts are currently separated by 5,000 km.

distance/rate = time

5000 km = 500,000,000 cm (1 km = 100,000 cm)

Time = 500,000,000 cm ÷ 4 cm/year

= 125,000,000 years

In millions it will be 125 million years.

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