If star a is magnitude 1.0 and star b is magnitude 9.6 , which is brighter and by what factor?

Star A is brighter than Star B by a factor of 2754.22

Explanation:

Lets assume,

the magnitude of star A = m₁ = 1

the magnitude of star B = m₂ = 9.6

the apparent brightness of star A and star B are b₁ and b₂ respectively

Then, relation between the difference of magnitudes and apparent brightness of two stars are related as give below:

The current magnitude scale followed was formalized by Sir Norman Pogson in 1856. On this scale a magnitude 1 star is 2.512 times brighter than magnitude 2 star. A magnitude 2 star is 2.512 time brighter than a magnitude 3 star. That means a magnitude 1 star is (2.512x2.512) brighter than magnitude 3 bright star.

We need to find the factor by which star A is brighter than star B. Using the equation given above,

Thus,

It means star A is 2754.22 time brighter than Star B.