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

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

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

4. 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

5. 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.

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

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

10. 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

11. . 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.

12. 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 / kilometers = 1 OR
1.602 kilometers / 1 mile = 1

13. 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 kilometers
1 mile

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

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

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

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

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