onvert 170 pounds to kilograms Round your answer to the nearest tenth. kg Question Help: Worked Example 1
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
To convert 170 pounds to kilograms, we use the standard conversion factor:
1 pound = 0.453592 kilograms
So,
170 pounds × 0.453592 = 77.11064 kilograms
Rounded to the nearest tenth, the answer is:
77.1 kg
Explanation
Weight conversion between different units is essential in many practical fields such as science, medicine, and international travel. In this case, we are converting from pounds (lbs), which is commonly used in the United States, to kilograms (kg), which is the standard unit of mass in most parts of the world, especially in countries using the metric system.
The conversion factor between pounds and kilograms is based on a fixed value. One pound is equal to exactly 0.453592 kilograms. This means that for every pound, there are roughly 0.45 kilograms.
To solve the problem, multiply the number of pounds by the conversion factor:
170 × 0.453592 = 77.11064
This gives the precise mass in kilograms. However, the question asks us to round the result to the nearest tenth. Rounding is a mathematical method used to simplify a number while keeping it close to its original value. In this case, the hundredths digit is 1, which is less than 5, so we round down, keeping the tenths place the same.
Therefore, 77.11064 becomes 77.1 when rounded to the nearest tenth.
This rounding is especially important when dealing with real-world applications, such as medication dosages, shipping weights, or nutrition labels, where simplified and readable values are more practical and safer to use. Accuracy is important, but excessive decimal places can complicate communication or calculations unnecessarily.
To summarize, using the conversion factor and proper rounding, 170 pounds is approximately 77.1 kilograms.
