Convert: 17 yards to meters (to the nearest tenth)
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
To convert yards to meters, we use the conversion factor:
1 yard = 0.9144 meters.
Thus, to convert 17 yards to meters, you simply multiply 17 by 0.9144: 17 yards×0.9144 meters/yard=15.5248 meters.17 \text{ yards} \times 0.9144 \text{ meters/yard} = 15.5248 \text{ meters}.17 yards×0.9144 meters/yard=15.5248 meters.
When rounded to the nearest tenth, 15.5248 becomes 15.5 meters.
Explanation:
The conversion factor of 0.9144 meters per yard comes from the international agreement on metric conversions. Yards and meters are both units of length, with yards being more commonly used in the United States, and meters being the standard metric unit. In many contexts, especially in science, engineering, and international measurements, it’s essential to be able to convert between these units.
When converting, the process is straightforward multiplication using the conversion factor. Since the problem asks for the answer rounded to the nearest tenth, we round 15.5248 to 15.5 by looking at the digit in the hundredths place (which is a 2). As 2 is less than 5, we round down.
In general, converting between different units of measurement involves knowing the correct conversion factor and applying it through multiplication or division. For length conversions like yards to meters, this is especially important in fields such as architecture, construction, and physical sciences where precision is crucial.
