1. Dimensional Analysis
-Dimensional analysis is a way to convert from one type of unit to another
ex. miles to kilometers or cups to milliliters
lbs to dollars or miles to dollars
-Start by beginning with a known value
ex. ½ dozen eggs
-Look for the conversion factor:
ex. 1 dozen = 12 eggs
can be written  _1 dozen_ or _12 eggs_
12 eggs dozen
-Multiply each so that the known unit is on the bottom (denominator) of the conversion factor:
_½ dozen_ × _12 eggs_
dozen
_½ dozen_ × _1 dozen_
eggs

2. Dimensional Analysis
-We want the known unit on the “bottom” (or denominator) so that we can cancel units out and we are left with the unit we want
One more example:
_½ dozen_ × _12 eggs_ = 6 eggs
dozen
_2 dozen_ × _12 eggs_ = 24 eggs
dozen

3. Dimensional Analysis Practice
1. How many minutes are in a year?
2. I took a trip up to Vancouver, Canada and I noticed that the speed limit was different there. It was 100 km/hr. How fast was I going? How many miles are in 100 km? (0.62 mi = 1 km)
3. I’m trying to buy some ground beef at the supermarket. My recipe calls for 2 lbs. to make my chili. It costs $3.50 per lb. How much will that cost?
4. My car gets about 30 mi/gallon on the freeway. I’m going to drive to Los Angeles, which is about 380 mi. Can I drive down there in one tank of gas (12 gallons) if I fill it all the way to the top?
5. You're throwing a pizza party for 15 people and figure each person might eat 4 slices. How much is the pizza going to cost you? You call up the pizza place and learn that each pizza will cost you $20 and will be cut into 12 slices. You tell them you'll call back. Do you have enough money?