Final answer:
The actual circumference of Earth is found by multiplying the model's circumference of 50 inches by the scale factor, resulting in 24,901 miles.
Step-by-step explanation:
Timothy has created a model of Earth with a circumference of 50 inches, using a scale factor of 1 inch = 498.02 miles. To find the actual circumference of Earth, we use a simple proportion calculation. Multiplying the model's circumference by the scale factor gives us the actual circumference:
50 inches × 498.02 miles/inch = 24,901 miles
So, the actual circumference of Earth is 24,901 miles, which corresponds to option (a) 24,901 miles.