If one meter is equal to 39.4 inches, how many centimeters are in one foot?
The correct answer and explanation is:
To determine how many centimeters are in one foot, let’s break down the problem and convert the necessary units step-by-step.
- First, we know that one foot is equal to 12 inches. This is a standard conversion factor used for measuring length in imperial units.
- Next, the problem gives us the conversion between meters and inches, stating that one meter equals 39.4 inches. Since one foot is part of a meter, we can use this conversion factor to link the two measurements.
- To find the number of centimeters in one foot, we need to convert inches to centimeters. We know that one inch equals 2.54 centimeters. This conversion factor is critical to getting from inches to centimeters.
- Now, multiply the number of inches in one foot (12 inches) by the conversion factor from inches to centimeters. This gives us: 12 inches×2.54 cm/inch=30.48 cm12 \, \text{inches} \times 2.54 \, \text{cm/inch} = 30.48 \, \text{cm}
Therefore, there are 30.48 centimeters in one foot.
Explanation: This conversion relies on two primary factors. The first is the conversion between inches and feet (12 inches in 1 foot). The second is the conversion from inches to centimeters (2.54 centimeters per inch). By multiplying the two factors together, we obtain the total length in centimeters. This method is commonly used in various fields such as construction, engineering, and scientific measurement, where it’s necessary to work between metric and imperial systems.
In summary, converting between measurement units involves applying known conversion factors and ensuring that the units cancel out correctly, leading to the desired result.