How much does 68 kilograms weigh in pounds?
The Correct answer and Explanation is:
To convert 68 kilograms (kg) to pounds (lbs), you use the conversion factor:
1 kilogram = 2.20462 pounds.
So, multiplying 68 kilograms by the conversion factor:
[ 68 \, \text{kg} \times 2.20462 \, \text{lbs/kg} = 149.914 \, \text{lbs} ]
Thus, 68 kilograms is approximately 149.91 pounds.
Explanation:
The kilogram and the pound are both units of mass, but they belong to different systems of measurement. Kilograms are part of the metric system, which is widely used around the world. On the other hand, pounds are part of the Imperial system, which is commonly used in the United States and a few other countries. Because these systems use different base units, a conversion factor is required when converting values between them.
The standard conversion factor between kilograms and pounds is derived from international agreements on how to standardize these measurements. Specifically, 1 kilogram is defined as being exactly 2.20462 pounds. This means that for every kilogram, there are about 2.2 pounds.
In practical applications, such as calculating body weight or the mass of objects, converting between these units is essential when working in countries that use different systems. For instance, medical professionals or athletes often need to convert kilograms to pounds (and vice versa) to track weight for health or performance reasons.
The conversion process is straightforward: multiply the number of kilograms by 2.20462 to get the weight in pounds. In this case, multiplying 68 kilograms by 2.20462 gives a result of 149.91 pounds, which can be rounded depending on the level of precision required.
This calculation is especially important in fields like healthcare, aviation, and international shipping, where accurate weight measurements across different unit systems are critical.