Question

The average distance of Mercury from the sun is 36 million miles. The distance varies by 7.5 million miles. Use this information to complete the statement. The minimum distance of Mercury from the sun is ______ million miles, and the maximum distance is ______ million miles.

Answer 1

The minimum and maximum distances of Mercury from the sun are approximated by subtracting and adding the variation (7.5 million miles) to the average distance (36 million miles), respectively.

Step-by-step explanation:

The minimum distance of Mercury from the sun is 28.5 million miles, and the maximum distance is 43.5 million miles. To find these distances, we subtract and add the varying distance (7.5 million miles) from the average distance (36 million miles), respectively. At its closest approach, known as perihelion, Mercury is 46 million kilometers (which roughly converts to 28.5 million miles) from the sun. At its farthest point, called aphelion, Mercury is 70 million kilometers from the sun, which is approximately 43.5 million miles.