Final answer:
The correct answer to the question would be 1.6 x 10^4 after dividing the coefficients and subtracting the exponents in scientific notation, but this option isn't provided in the question's choices, indicating a possible error.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question involves dividing two numbers expressed in scientific notation. To solve 1.248 x 10^-2 divided by 7.8 x 10^-7, you divide the decimal numbers and then subtract the exponents of ten from each other (since it's division).
Step 1: Divide the decimal numbers: 1.248 ÷ 7.8 = 0.16.
Step 2: Subtract the exponents: (-2) - (-7) = 5 (because subtracting a negative is like adding its absolute value).
Therefore, after combining these two steps, the answer is formed into proper scientific notation:
0.16 x 10^5 = 1.6 x 10^4 (after adjusting the decimal to have one non-zero digit to the left).
However, the options provided in the question appear to have a typographical error, as the correct option 1.6 x 10^4 is not listed.