How far away from the Sun is the asteroid in astronomical units if it is three times farther than Earth?
Understand the Problem
The question is asking to calculate the distance of an asteroid from the Sun in astronomical units (AU), given that it is three times farther from the Sun than Earth is. The distance of Earth from the Sun is defined as 1 AU.
Answer
The distance of the asteroid from the Sun is $3 \text{ AU}$.
Answer for screen readers
The distance of the asteroid from the Sun is $3 \text{ AU}$.
Steps to Solve
- Identify the distance of Earth from the Sun
The distance of Earth from the Sun is defined as 1 astronomical unit (AU).
- Calculate the distance of the asteroid from the Sun
Since the asteroid is three times farther from the Sun than Earth, we can calculate this distance as follows:
$$ \text{Distance of asteroid} = 3 \times \text{Distance of Earth} $$
Substituting the distance of Earth:
$$ \text{Distance of asteroid} = 3 \times 1 \text{ AU} $$
- Simplify the expression
This gives us:
$$ \text{Distance of asteroid} = 3 \text{ AU} $$
The distance of the asteroid from the Sun is $3 \text{ AU}$.
More Information
This is a straightforward problem that leverages the definition of astronomical units (AU) to express distance in a simplified and relatable manner. Knowing how distances in space are measured helps in understanding the scale of our solar system.
Tips
- A common mistake might be confusing the distance of the asteroid with Earth by assuming it is the same. Always remember to multiply the distance of Earth by the given factor.
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