What is the scientific notation for distance from Earth to Alpha Centauri? The distance from Earth to the nearest star outside the solar system is approximately 25,700,000,000,000 miles.

1 Answer
David Drayer
Sep 28, 2017

# 2.57 xx 10^13#

Explanation:

Alpha Centauri is the nearest star as far as present knowledge allows. So the distance to Alpha Centauri is 25700 000 000 000

Putting this value into scientific notation involves moving the decimal next to the last digit to the left (2) and multiplying by a power of ten that makes the numbers equal. There are 13 decimal places from two to the last zero so the decimal point has to be moved 13 times or #10^13# This means that

# 25700 000 000 000 = 2.57 xx 10^13#

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