how do i know if the q is referring the altitude or orbital radius for satellites (1 Viewer)

[anonymoushehe]

idk if im being stupid, but like if a question mentions llike a satellite is in orbit at some distance, am i meant to interpet is as the orbital radius or the altitue? for example in this q, i messed it up because i thought it was orbital radius (which i realised doesnt make sense since the radius of the earth is much longer than that) — but like generally, is it just referring to altitudes for satellites in q's or does it vary?

 

[Aeonium]

idk if im being stupid, but like if a question mentions llike a satellite is in orbit at some distance, am i meant to interpet is as the orbital radius or the altitue? for example in this q, i messed it up because i thought it was orbital radius (which i realised doesnt make sense since the radius of the earth is much longer than that) — but like generally, is it just referring to altitudes for satellites in q's or does it vary?

View attachment 45989

altitude