Unit Conversion
Unit conversion is a multi-step process that involves multiplication or division by a numerical factor. There are different ways to measure weight, distance, and temperature. In several countries, distance is measured in kilometers, weight in kilograms, and temperature in celsius. Let's say you're on vacation in India, and you're told that the distance between the two cities is 100 kilometers. How much is that in miles? This is where unit conversion comes into the picture.
| 1. | What is Unit Conversion? |
| 2. | Conversion of Units Measurements |
| 3. | Unit Conversion Charts |
| 4. | Conversion Factors |
| 5. | FAQs on Unit Conversion |
What is Unit Conversion?
Unit conversion is a process with multiple steps that involves multiplication or division by a numerical factor or, particularly a conversion factor. The process may also require selection of the correct number of significant digits, and rounding. Different units of conversion are used to measure different parameters.
In mathematics, we convert the units of measurement to understand better. For example, the length of a table is measured in inches whereas the length of a garden is measured in yards to make it simple to understand. We cannot measure the length of a finger in miles. To measure different quantities, units of measurements are required.
The conversion of units is required to solve various mathematical problems. For example, if the length of a rectangle is given is inches whereas the breadth is given in feet, then to determine the perimeter of the rectangle, we need to convert the units to make them uniform. Hence, it is necessary to learn the concept of unit conversion.
Definition of Conversion of Units
By definition conversion of units means the conversion between different units and measurements of the same quantity done by the process of multiplication or division. In maths, conversion is the process of changing the value of one form to another for example inches to millimeters, or liters to gallons. Units are used for measuring length, measuring weight, measuring capacity, measuring temperature, and measuring speed.
Conversion of Units Measurements
Different units are used to measure different quantities. Let us explore the units used to measure the following:
- Length
- Temperature
- Area
- Volume
- Weight
| Quantity | Units |
|---|---|
| Length | inch (in), feet (ft), yards (yd), miles |
| Temperature | Kelvin (K), Fahrenheit (F), Celsius (C) |
| Area | Square Inch, Square Feet, Acre, Square Yard, Square Mile |
| Volume (Capacity) | Fluid Ounces (fl oz), pint (pt), quarts (qt), gallons (gal) |
| Weight (Mass) | Ounces, Pounds (lb), Tons |
Non-standard units of measurement are used in the early years of learning, to introduce children to the concept of measuring without them having to read any scales. Reading scales of any kind is a difficult skill in itself, so the idea of non-standard measures is to focus the child on the concept of heavier, lighter, longer, shorter, etc. before they move onto the next step of measuring using standard units.
To measure the length of the objects the non-standard measure used is that of hand spans. Using a handspan to measure objects is an informal way of figuring out the lengths. However, the measurements may vary owing to the subjectivity involved.
Given below is a unit conversion table depicting the relationship between different units.
| Quantity | Relationship |
|---|---|
| Length | 1 mile = 1760 yards = 5280 feet = 63,360 inches |
| Temperature | C/5=F-32/9=K-273/5 |
| Volume (Capacity) | 1 gallon = 4 quarts = 8 pints = 128 fluid ounces |
| Weight (Mass) | 1 ton = 2000 pounds = 32,000 ounces |
Unit Conversion Charts
Unit Conversion Charts provide us with conversion factors for conversions of different units of length, area, volume, temperature, etc, and serve as a reference for easy and quick calculations. The charts are also considered as the conversion of units formula where it helps in converting any quantity given in one unit to another. Let's have a look at the unit conversion chart tables below:
Length Unit Conversions
| 1 millimeter | 0.001 meter |
| 1 centimeter | 0.01 meter |
| 1 decimeter | 0.1 meter |
| 1 decameter | 10 meters |
| 1 hectometer | 100 meters |
| 1 kilometer | 1000 meters |
| 1 inch | 2.54 x 10-2 meters |
| 1 foot | 0.3048 meters/ 12 inches |
| 1 yard | 0.9144 meters/ 3feet |
| 1 mile | 1.609344 kilometers/ 1760 yards/ 5280 feet/ 63,360 inches |
Area Unit Conversions
| 1 sq. inch | 6.4516x10-4 sq. meters |
| 1 sq. foot | 9.2903x10-2 sq. meters |
| 1 acre | 4.0468x103 sq. meters |
| 1 hectare | 1x104 sq. meters |
| 1 sq. mile | 2.5888x106 sq. meters |
| 1 barn | 1x10-28 square meters |
Temperature Unit Conversions
| C/5 = F-32/9 = K-273/5 |
Volume Unit Conversions
| 1 milliliter | 0.001 liter |
| 1 centiliter | 0.01 liter |
| 1 deciliter | 0.1 liter |
| 1 decaliter | 10 liters |
| 1 hectoliter | 100 liters |
| 1 kiloliter | 1000 liters |
| 1 cubic inch | 1.639x10-2 liters |
| 1 pint | 473.16 milliliters/ 0.57 liters |
| 1 quart | 946.353 milliliters/ 0.946353 liters/ 2 pints |
| 1 gallon | 3.785 liters/ 4 quarts/ 8 pints/ 128 fluid ounces |
| 1 cubic foot | 28.316 liters |
Mass Unit Conversions
| 1 milligram | 0.001 grams |
| 1 centigram | 0.01 grams |
| 1 decigram | 0.1 grams |
| 1 decagram | 10 grams |
| 1 ounce | 28.3495 grams |
| 1 hectagram | 100 grams |
| 1 kilogram | 1000 grams |
| 1 stone | 6350.29 grams |
| 1 pound | 453.592 grams/ 0.453592kg/ 16 ounces |
| 1 ton | 907.185kg/ 2000 pounds/ 32,000 ounces |
Conversion Factors
A conversion factor is a value or a number that is used to change one set of units to another, either by multiplication or division. An appropriate conversion factor makes calculation quick and easy. For example, the appropriate conversion value, to convert inches to feet, is 12 inches = 1 foot, and for temperature conversions, we use C/5=F-32/9=K-273/5.
☛Related Topics
Listed below are a few topics that are related to conversion of unit.
FAQs on Unit Conversion
How many Feet go into a Mile?
To determine how many feet go into a mile, we know that 1 mile = 5280 feet. Therefore, 5280 feet go into a mile.
What is the SI Unit of Mass?
The SI unit of mass is the kilogram (kg).
Is Kelvin a SI Unit?
Yes, Kelvin is the SI unit of temperature.
How Do You Convert Units to Different Units?
The following steps are followed for the unit conversions:
- Step 1: Write the conversion as a fraction.
- Step 2: Multiply or divide, as required.
- Step 3: Cancel the units (same units from top and bottom)
- Step 4: Write the simplified answer with its correct unit.
Why is Unit Conversion Important?
Unit Conversions are important to solve many real-time problems, be it exchange of money, purchasing and selling, cooking, baking, etc.
How do you Set up a Conversion Equation?
To set up a conversion equation:
- Look for a conversion factor between the given units and the desired units.
- Make an equation, using them.
- Convert that equation to a fraction, putting the desired units on top and the given units on the bottom.
What are the Conversion Factors?
A conversion factor is a number that is used to change one set of units to another, either by multiplying or by dividing. An appropriate conversion factor makes calculation quick and easy. For example, the appropriate conversion value, to convert inches to feet, is 12 inches = 1 foot.
What is the Purpose of Conversion of Units?
Unit conversion is very important because all countries do not follow the standard metric system and they have different units for measuring length, weight, area, etc. So, converting units becomes the main concern and unit conversion thus, solves the purpose.