The mass of a textbook is about 1.75 kilograms. About how many pounds is this?
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The mass of the textbook is 1.75 kilograms. To convert kilograms to pounds, the following conversion factor is used:
1 kilogram ≈ 2.20462 pounds.
Multiplying the mass in kilograms by the conversion factor: 1.75 kg×2.20462 lbkg=3.858085 lb.1.75 \, \text{kg} \times 2.20462 \, \frac{\text{lb}}{\text{kg}} = 3.858085 \, \text{lb}.1.75kg×2.20462kglb=3.858085lb.
Rounding to two decimal places, the mass of the textbook is approximately 3.86 pounds.
Understanding the conversion between kilograms and pounds involves recognizing that both units measure mass, but in different systems. Kilograms belong to the metric system, which is widely used around the world due to its simplicity and consistency. Pounds are part of the imperial system, still commonly used in countries like the United States.
The conversion factor 2.20462 comes from the defined relationship between the two units. This means that every kilogram contains approximately 2.20462 pounds of mass. This factor remains constant and allows for accurate conversions between the two systems.
When performing the conversion, multiplication is used because the goal is to scale the kilogram measurement up by the number of pounds per kilogram. This method ensures that the resulting figure accurately represents the equivalent mass in pounds.
The final result, approximately 3.86 pounds, provides a clear sense of the textbook’s weight in familiar terms for those accustomed to the imperial system. Such conversions are particularly useful in contexts like travel, shipping, or international commerce, where different systems of measurement frequently interact.
In summary, 1.75 kilograms is approximately 3.86 pounds, using a direct multiplication by the standard conversion factor.
