Converting units from one unit to another Dimensional Analysis Converting units from one unit to another

Introduction the skill of converting from one unit to another is called dimensional analysis.

Introduction involves three factors: a. the unit in the given problem b. the unit the answer should be in c. the conversion factor

A conversion factor is…. 1) a fraction that always equals 1 ex. 1 kilogram equals 1000 grams 1 kg / 1000 g = 1 OR 1000 g / 1 kg = 1

B. How to do a conversion – metric to metric Read the given problem. Determine the units you are converting to (what units your answer should be in). a. Convert 2500 g to kilograms.

How to do a conversion – metric to metric Choose a conversion factor that includes both the unit given in the problem and the unit you need to convert to. You could choose: 1 kg / 1000 g = 1 OR 1000 g / 1 kg = 1

How to do a conversion – metric to metric Choose the conversion factor that will allow you to cross – cancel out the units that you DO NOT want in the answer. (hint: put the units you want for the answer in the numerator position!) 2500 grams x 1 kilogram 1000 grams

How to do a conversion – metric to metric Cancel out the like units (numerator/denominator). Do the math. Multiply the fractions - reduce to its simplest form. 2500 grams x 1 kilogram = 2500kilograms 1000 grams 1000

How to do a conversion – metric to metric 2500 kilograms = 2.5 kilograms 1000 Answer = 2.5 kilograms

6 Step Method 1. Read to find the given 2. Set up the problem 3. Find the conversion factor 4. Multiply and divide 5. Record answer 6. Check work

. How to do a conversion – metric /english Read the given problem. Determine the units you are converting to (what units your answer should be in). a. Convert 750 miles to kilometers.

How to do a conversion – metric /english Choose a conversion factor that includes both the unit given in the problem and the unit you need to convert to. You could choose: 1 mile / 1.602 kilometers = 1 OR 1.602 kilometers / 1 mile = 1

How to do a conversion – metric /english Choose the conversion factor that will allow you to cross – cancel out the units that you DO NOT WANT in the answer. (hint: put the units you want for the answer in the numerator position!) 750 miles x 1.602 kilometers 1 mile

How to do a conversion – metric /english Cancel out the like units (numerator/denominator). 750 miles x 1.602 kilometers 1 mile

How to do a conversion – metric /english Do the math. Multiply the fractions - reduce to its simplest form. 750 miles x 1.602 kilometers 1 mile 1201.5 kilometers = 1201.5 kilometers 1

How to do a conversion – metric /english Answer: 1200 kilometers

Dimensional Analysis –Multistep Conversions Example: If Gavin is running with a football 30ft/second, how fast is that in meters per second?

Example: If Katelyn is in a Mercedes traveling 15 mph, how fast is that in ft/sec?