Unit 4 Contents

Self-Check: Questions 1–4

Planet Problems

Before you solve the following problems, decide if you need to find an exact answer or an estimated answer. Then choose a strategy to solve each problem. Be ready to share your problem solving strategy with the class.

The Earth's closest neighbor in space is our moon. It is the Earth's only natural satellite.

1. The average distance from the Earth to the moon is about 238,800 miles; however, it can be as far away as 252,710 miles and as close as 221,463 miles.
   Tanya said that the difference between the farthest distance and the nearest distance is about 33,000 miles. Do you agree with Tanya's estimate? Why or why not?

2. There have been six manned Apollo space missions to the moon and back. About how many total miles were traveled during those six trips?
3. Measured to the nearest mile, the Earth's diameter is 7926 miles and the moon's diameter is 2159 miles. What is the difference between the diameters of the moon and the Earth to the nearest mile?
4. Although from space the Earth may look like a perfect ball, it really is not quite. The circumference around the Earth at the equator measures 24,901 miles. The circumference around the Earth at the meridian (an imaginary line drawn circling the Earth through both poles) measures 24,860 miles. Find the difference between these two circumferences.