Question

The average distance of the Earth from the Sun is 93 million miles. This distance is not constant due to the elliptical rotation of the Earth around the sun and can vary by approximately 1.6 million miles. Which equation can be used to represent the minimum and maximum distances between the Earth and the Sun?

A) |x-1.6|=93
B) |x-91.4|=94.6
C) |x-94.6|=91.4
D) |x-93|=1.6

Answer 1

The correct equation to determine the variable Earth-Sun distances is D) |x-93|=1.6, which accounts for the average distance and the variation due to Earth's elliptical orbit.

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct equation to represent the minimum and maximum distances between the Earth and the Sun, considering the average distance is 93 million miles and can vary by approximately 1.6 million miles, is D) |x-93|=1.6.

This equation is derived from the concept of absolute value, which represents the distance of a number on the number line from a reference point, in this case, 93 million miles, the average distance. The absolute value ensures that whether the distance x is 1.6 million more or less than the average, the equation holds true, representing the maximum and minimum distances.