An operational definition is a statement of the procedures or ways in which a researcher is going to measure behaviors or qualities. For example, the operational definition of anxiety could be in terms of a test score, withdrawal from a situation, or activation of the sympathetic nervous system. Operational definitions are important because one must define the measured variables in order to properly measure it.
1 million is 1 x 10^6
1 billion is 1 x 10^9
1 trillion is 1 x 10^12
So 12 trillion miles is 12 x 10^12 which converts to 1.2 x 10^1 x 10^12 = 1.2 x 10^13
