SOLUTION: The speed of sound is 186,000 mi/sec Convert into inches per year. I'm asking because my calculator can't handle the big number. Thanks.

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Question 241374: The speed of sound is 186,000 mi/sec Convert into inches per year. I'm asking because my calculator can't handle the big number. Thanks.
Found 2 solutions by Alan3354, Edwin McCravy:
Answer by Alan3354(69443)   (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
I think that's the speed of light.
186000 mi/sec*5280 ft/mi*12 in/ft*60 sec/min*60 min/hr*24 hr/day*365 d/yr
= 3.7165E17 inch/year
Answer by Edwin McCravy(20086)   (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
AMP Parsing Error of [(186000mi)/(sec)]: Invalid function ')': opening bracket expected at /home/ichudov/project_locations/algebra.com/templates/Algebra/Expression.pm line 70. .

We will take the miles to feet to inches,

AMP Parsing Error of [(186000mi)/(sec)]: Invalid function ')': opening bracket expected at /home/ichudov/project_locations/algebra.com/templates/Algebra/Expression.pm line 70.
.



and we will take the seconds to minutes to hours to days to years

AMP Parsing Error of [(186000mi)/(sec)]: Invalid function ')': opening bracket expected at /home/ichudov/project_locations/algebra.com/templates/Algebra/Expression.pm line 70.
.
AMP Parsing Error of [(60sec)/(1min)]: Invalid function ')/(1\min)': opening bracket expected at /home/ichudov/project_locations/algebra.com/templates/Algebra/Expression.pm line 70.
.


Cancelling units which are in a numerator and a denominator:

AMP Parsing Error of [(186000cross(mi))/(sec)]: Invalid function ')': opening bracket expected at /home/ichudov/project_locations/algebra.com/templates/Algebra/Expression.pm line 70.
.
AMP Parsing Error of [(60cross(sec))/(1cross(min))]: Invalid function '))/(1\cross(min))': opening bracket expected at /home/ichudov/project_locations/algebra.com/templates/Algebra/Expression.pm line 70.
.




Change everything to scientific notation:



Group the numbers for multiplication and the exponents of 10
for addition:




Now your calculator can make the multiplication of those numbers:



Next we change  to scientific notation 

and we have:



And we add those powers of 10



With scientific notation your calculator can handle
all numbers regardless of how large.

Edwin