Question

A fathom is a unit of length, usually reserved for measuring the depth of water. A fathom is approximately 6 ft in length. Take the distance from Earth to the Moon to be 249,000miles, and use the given approximation to find the distance in fathoms. (Enter a number with the correct number of significant figures.)

Answer 1

1 fathom = 6 ft

1 ft = 0.3048 m

1 mile = 1609.344 meters

So Using these relations

distance between earth and moon = d = 249000 miles

d = 249000 miles

d = (249000 miles)*(1609.344 m/1 miles)*(1 ft/0.3048 m)*(1 fathom/6 ft)

d = 249000*1609.344/(6*0.3048) fathom

d = 219120000 fathom

In correct significant numbers (since in given question 6 ft value has only 1 significant figure, So final answer will have only one significant figure)

d = distance between earth and moon = 2*10^8 fathoms

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