1. Conversion Factor 1 ft = 12 in 1 hr = 60 min
A conversion factor is a ratio derived from the equality between two different units that can be used to convert from one unit to the other.
Examples:
1 ft = 12 in
1 hr = 60 min

2. I. English-to-English conversion factors
Dimensional Analysis
I. English-to-English conversion factors
volume
mass
length
1 cup = 8 fl oz
1 ft = 12 in
1 lb = 16 oz
1 pt = 2 cups
1 yd = 3 ft
1 ton = 2,000 lbs
1 qt = 2 pts
1 mi = 5,280 ft
1 gal = 4 qts

3. I. English-to-English conversion factors (cont’d)
Dimensional Analysis
I. English-to-English conversion factors (cont’d)
Example 1: How many yards are in 2.65 miles?
4,664
applying sig fig rules :
4,660 yd

4. II. Metric-to-Metric conversion factors
Dimensional Analysis
II. Metric-to-Metric conversion factors
Metric conversions can be made by moving the decimal –OR– they can be converted using factor-label method.
Example 2: How many centimeters are in 7.65 kilometers?
765,000
answer:
765,000 cm

5. III. English-to-Metric / Metric-to-English conversion factors
Dimensional Analysis
III. English-to-Metric / Metric-to-English conversion factors
There are NUMEROUS conversion factors for English-Metric conversions, but the simplest method is to know ONE conversion for each standard unit.
mass
length
volume
1 lb = 454 g
1 in = 2.54 cm
1 qt = 946 mL

6. III. English-to-Metric / Metric-to-English conversion factors
Dimensional Analysis
III. English-to-Metric / Metric-to-English conversion factors
Example 3: How many feet are in 5.0 kilometers?
16,
answer:
16,000 ft

7. III. English-to-Metric / Metric-to-English conversion factors
Dimensional Analysis
III. English-to-Metric / Metric-to-English conversion factors
Example 4: I weigh 175 pounds; convert this to kilograms.
79.45
answer:
79.5 kg

8. IV. Simultaneous conversions (rate conversions)
Dimensional Analysis
IV. Simultaneous conversions (rate conversions)
Example 5: I can run 9.10 mi/hr; convert this to ft/sec.
(hint: convert one unit at a time…)
answer:
13.3 ft/sec

9. IV. Squared (cubed) dimension conversions
Dimensional Analysis
IV. Squared (cubed) dimension conversions
Example 6: A table has a surface area of 1.25 m2; what is the table’s surface area in in2.
answer:
1,940 in2