Convert 172 pounds to kilograms. Use 1 kg = 2.2 lb.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
Conversion:
To convert 172 pounds to kilograms, we use the conversion factor:
1 kilogram = 2.2 pounds.Kilograms=Pounds2.2=1722.2≈78.18 kg\text{Kilograms} = \frac{\text{Pounds}}{2.2} = \frac{172}{2.2} \approx 78.18 \text{ kg}Kilograms=2.2Pounds=2.2172≈78.18 kg
Answer: 172 pounds is approximately 78.18 kilograms.
Explanation
Weight conversion between pounds and kilograms is a common task, especially when navigating between metric and imperial systems. In the metric system, kilograms (kg) are the standard unit for mass, widely used around the world, including in scientific and medical fields. On the other hand, pounds (lb) are used primarily in the United States and a few other countries.
To convert pounds to kilograms, we use the equivalence:
1 kilogram equals 2.2 pounds. This means that for every kilogram, there are 2.2 pounds. So, to go from pounds to kilograms, we divide the number of pounds by 2.2.
In this case, we are converting 172 pounds to kilograms. Performing the division:172÷2.2=78.18172 \div 2.2 = 78.18172÷2.2=78.18
This means that 172 pounds is approximately 78.18 kilograms. This result is useful in contexts such as healthcare, sports, fitness, travel, or even academic science where metric measurements are standard.
Understanding conversions like this also promotes global consistency. For example, someone who weighs 172 pounds in the U.S. might be asked for their weight in kilograms when visiting a European doctor or completing international travel forms.
It is important to note that the conversion factor used (1 kg = 2.2 lb) is a rounded approximation. The exact value is closer to 1 kg = 2.20462 lb, but for many everyday uses, 2.2 is sufficient and easier to work with mentally or in quick calculations.
In summary, converting 172 pounds to kilograms using the common factor of 2.2 gives a result of 78.18 kg, a useful and practical figure across various global and professional settings.
