A piece of plastic tubing measures 120 mm. What is the length of the tubing in inches?
The correct answer and explanation is :
To convert 120 millimeters (mm) to inches, we use the conversion factor:
1 inch = 25.4 millimeters
Step-by-step Calculation:
Length in inches=Length in mm25.4=12025.4≈4.72 inches\text{Length in inches} = \frac{\text{Length in mm}}{25.4} = \frac{120}{25.4} \approx 4.72 \text{ inches}
✅ Correct Answer: 4.72 inches
📚 Explanation (300 words)
When working with measurements, it’s important to understand the relationship between different units. In this case, we’re converting from millimeters (mm) to inches, which are commonly used in different systems of measurement:
- Millimeters (mm) are part of the metric system, which is widely used in scientific and international settings.
- Inches are part of the imperial system, often used in the United States.
The conversion factor between these two units is fixed:
1 inch equals exactly 25.4 millimeters
This means that to convert from millimeters to inches, you divide the number of millimeters by 25.4.
So, for a plastic tube measuring 120 mm, the formula becomes: 120÷25.4=4.72 inches (rounded to two decimal places)120 \div 25.4 = 4.72 \text{ inches (rounded to two decimal places)}
This calculation is essential in various real-life applications. For example, in nursing and medicine, accurate unit conversions ensure the right sizes for medical devices, tubing, or supplies. Similarly, in engineering, manufacturing, and construction, converting measurements between systems is critical when parts or materials are made in different countries.
Also, being able to perform such conversions manually (or with a calculator) is valuable when working in environments where precision matters and tools or apps may not always be available.
In conclusion, the tubing that measures 120 mm in length is equal to approximately 4.72 inches. Understanding how to convert between metric and imperial units helps ensure accuracy, safety, and consistency across various professional and technical fields.