Select the correct answer.

Venus is an average distance of 108.2 million kilometers from the Sun. Use the conversion factor [tex]$1 \text{ AU} = 1.5 \times 10^3 \text{ km}$[/tex] to convert this distance from kilometers to astronomical units. Choose the closest answer.

A. 0.72 AU
B. 1.25 AU
C. 355 AU
D. 45.63 AU
E. 96.12 AU



Answer :

To convert the distance from kilometers to astronomical units (AU), we need to use the given conversion factor. Here's the step-by-step process:

1. Identify the given distance and the conversion factor:
- Distance from the Sun to Venus: [tex]\( 108.2 \)[/tex] million kilometers, which can be written as [tex]\( 108.2 \times 10^6 \)[/tex] km.
- Conversion factor: [tex]\( 1 \)[/tex] AU = [tex]\( 1.5 \times 10^8 \)[/tex] km.

2. Convert the distance from kilometers to astronomical units:
- Use the formula:
[tex]\[ \text{Distance in AU} = \frac{\text{Distance in km}}{\text{Conversion factor}} \][/tex]
- Plug in the values:
[tex]\[ \text{Distance in AU} = \frac{108.2 \times 10^6 \text{ km}}{1.5 \times 10^8 \text{ km}} \][/tex]

3. Calculate the result:
- Simplify the expression:
[tex]\[ \text{Distance in AU} = \frac{108200000 \text{ km}}{150000000 \text{ km}} \][/tex]
- Perform the division:
[tex]\[ \text{Distance in AU} = 0.7213333333333334 \][/tex]

4. Compare the result to the given answer choices:
The calculated distance in AU is approximately [tex]\( 0.721 \)[/tex]. Among the choices provided:
- A. [tex]\( 0.72 \, \text{AU} \)[/tex]
- B. [tex]\( 1.25 \, \text{AU} \)[/tex]
- C. 355 \, \text{AU}
- D. 45.63 \, \text{AU}
- E. 96.12 \, \text{AU}

The closest answer to [tex]\( 0.721 \)[/tex] is option A: [tex]\( 0.72 \, \text{AU} \)[/tex].

Therefore, the correct answer is [tex]\( \boxed{0.72 \, \text{AU}} \)[/tex].