(b) The Sears Tower in Chicago is 1454 ft tall. Calculate its height in meters.

Key Concepts

Unit Conversion

Unit conversion is the process of converting a quantity expressed in one unit to another unit. In this case, we need to convert feet to meters. The conversion factor between feet and meters is that 1 foot is approximately 0.3048 meters. Understanding how to apply this conversion factor is essential for accurately calculating the height of the Sears Tower in meters.

Metric System

The metric system is an internationally recognized decimal-based system of measurement. It includes units such as meters for length, kilograms for mass, and liters for volume. Familiarity with the metric system is crucial for scientists and engineers, as it provides a standard way to communicate measurements and perform calculations across different fields and countries.

Dimensional Analysis

Dimensional analysis is a mathematical technique used to convert one set of units to another by multiplying by conversion factors. This method ensures that the units cancel appropriately, leading to the desired unit in the final answer. In this problem, dimensional analysis will help us systematically convert the height of the Sears Tower from feet to meters, ensuring accuracy in the calculation.