The weight of an object on Earth varies inversely as the square of its distance LaTeX: dd from the center of the Earth. If a pilot weighs 175 lbs at sea level on Earth (approx. 6400 kilometers from the center of the Earth), how far above the Earth must the pilot fly in order to weigh 150 lbs?

40 Ibs

Explanation:

"The weight (W) of an object on earth varies inversely with the square of its (not it's) distance (d) from the center of the earth" This relationship can be expressed as:

W = K / d2

where k is the constant of variation.

To find the value of k, we'll substitute the given values of W = 90 lbs and d = 8000 miles.

k = 5760000000

d = 12000 * 12000 = 144000000

So our formula becomes:

Substitute d = 12000 miles.

w = 57600000000 / 144000000

w=

40 lbs.