Operate with very small decimals: Evaluate 0.0004 ÷ 0.0001 × 36.000009 and select the closest option.

Introduction / Context:
When dividing tiny decimals, it often helps to scale both numbers by the same power of 10 to remove leading zeros. Here, 0.0004 ÷ 0.0001 is a clean ratio that dramatically simplifies the expression before multiplying by a number very close to 36.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• a = 0.0004
• b = 0.0001
• c = 36.000009 (very close to 36)

Concept / Approach:
Compute the division first to reduce the expression. Since 0.0004 / 0.0001 = 4, the original expression becomes 4 × 36.000009. Multiplying by 4 is straightforward and keeps small rounding error contained.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:
Because 36.000009 is only 0.000009 more than 36, the product is only 0.000036 above 144. The nearest listed option to 144.000036 is 145 (the other choices differ by an order of magnitude or more).

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• 14.5, 1.45, 0.10: off by factors of 10 to 1000; they ignore the 4× scaling.
• 150: slightly larger than 144 by 6, not a close approximation here.

Common Pitfalls:
Misplacing decimal points when dividing small numbers; forgetting that 0.0004 is 4× 0.0001, not 40× or 0.4×.

Final Answer:
145