Saturn 7786
5.0
In a similar way to how you scaled the size of the planets, you'll also scale the distances between each of the
planets and the Sun. The table contains the planets in our solar system and their average distances from the Sun.
To more easily compare these distances, you'll scale them down using sheets of toilet paper.
Increasing Distance from the Sun
Mercury Venus Earth Mars Jupiter
Uranus Neptune
Average Distance from the Sun (million km) 57.9 1082
149.6
227.9
14335 28725
4495.1
Scaled Distance (sheets of tollet paper)
7.6
The ratio between Earth's distance from the Sun and its scaled distance can be used to find the scaled distance for
the other planets. Earth's distance of 149.6 million kilometers to the Sun is scaled to 5.0 sheets of toilet paper as
shown in the table. Now let's find the scaled distance between Mars and the Sun as an example. Using the
calculations shown, Mars's distance to the Sun of 227.9 million kilometers would be scaled to 7.6 sheets of toilet
paper
149.6 million km 227.9 million km
5.0 sheets
d x 149.6 = 227.9 x 5.0
d = 7.6 sheets
Use this same process to complete the table with the scaled distances for the other planets. Round each answer to
the tenths place. If you need additional math help, visit the Proportions section of the Math Review e.
BIV , Font Sizes
d
Mars
Uranus
Increasing Distance from the Sun
Mercury
Venus Earth
579 1082
5.0
Jupiter
7786
Saturn
14335
Neptune
4495.1
2279
28725
Average Distance from the Sun (million km)
Scaled Distance (sheets of toilet paper
76