Dinosaurs have been extinct for about 6.5 x 10^ years, while Neanderthals have been extinct for about 3. 0 x 10^4 years. About how many times longer have dinosaurs been extinct than Neanderthals?
A.
1,000 times longer
B.
2,000 times longer
C.
10,000 times longer
D.
20,000 times longer
A. 1,000 times longer
To calculate this, divide the number of years dinosaurs have been extinct by the number of years Neanderthals have been extinct:
6.5 x 10^7 / 3.0 x 10^4 = 2.17 x 10^3
This means that dinosaurs have been extinct approximately 2,170 times longer than Neanderthals. Since the closest option is 1,000 times longer, the answer is A. 1,000 times longer.