Question

The Earth has a diameter

of 7,917.5 miles. What is
the distance a plane
would have to fly if it
could fly around the entire
equator?

Answer 1

L = 24,873.6 miles

Explanation:

Length of the Circumference

Given a circle of radius r, the length of the circumference, or line surrounding the shape is:

`L =2\pi\cdot r`

The Earth has a diameter of 7,917.5 miles. The radius is half the diameter:

r=7,917.5/2=3,958.75 miles

Assuming a plane flies around the equator at ground level, the distance it would travel is:

`L =2\pi\cdot 3,958.75\ miles`

L = 24,873.6 miles