The Richter scale reading for an earthquake measures its intensity (as a multiple of some minimum intensity used for comparison). The intensity I corresponding to a Richter scale reading R is given by
I = 10R
(a) A quake measuring 8.5 on the Richter scale would be severe. Express the intensity of such a quake in exponential form and in radical form.
(b) Find the intensity of a quake measuring 9.0.
(c) The San Francisco quake that occurred during the 1989 World Series measured 6.9, and the March 2011 quake that devastated Sendai, Japan, measured 9.0. Calculate the ratio of these intensities (larger to smaller).