Final answer:
The question likely contains a typo or misunderstanding, as the combination of apparent and absolute magnitudes provided is highly unusual and would not be associated with a single star.
Step-by-step explanation:
To calculate the distance to a star based on its apparent magnitude and absolute magnitude, we can use the distance modulus formula, which in its simplest form is:
Distance modulus = apparent magnitude - absolute magnitude
However, the question as phrased asks what the distance would be from Earth to a star with apparent magnitude +5.4 and absolute magnitude -19.6. This is a highly unusual scenario, as an absolute magnitude of -19.6 is typical of a supernova or an extraordinarily bright galaxy, not a single star. Moreover, a star with such an absolute magnitude would not have an apparent magnitude of +5.4 at any reasonable distance. Therefore, it seems like there might be a typo or misunderstanding in the question as posed. If this is the case, the student is encouraged to review the information provided and ask for clarification if necessary.