Final answer:
The value of α is 2.
Step-by-step explanation:
To find the value of α, we need to set up an equation based on the given information. The equation is: 8 x 10³ = 40 times larger than a x 10². We can write this equation as: 8 x 10³ = 40(a x 10²). We can simplify this equation by dividing both sides by 40, which gives us: 8 x 10³ / 40 = a x 10². Simplifying further, we get: 2 x 10² = a x 10².
Now we can compare the exponents of the powers of 10. Both sides have the same exponent, which is 2. Therefore, the value of α is 2.