Final answer:
The true statement is B: (9.46 × 10¹² < 4.0 × 10¹³), since a higher exponent on the base of 10 indicates a larger number.
Step-by-step explanation:
The true statement between the two options given is B: (9.46 × 10¹² < 4.0 × 10¹³). This is because the exponent of 10 in 9.46 × 10¹² is 12, which is less than the exponent of 10 in 4.0 × 10¹³, which is 13. Since the bases (10) are the same and the exponents reflect the order of magnitude, an exponent of 13 indicates a number that is ten times larger than an exponent of 12. Therefore, 9.46 × 10¹² is indeed smaller than 4.0 × 10¹³, making option B the true statement.