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Ch.1 - Introduction: Matter, Energy, and Measurement
Chapter 1, Problem 54c

Using your knowledge of metric units, English units, and the information on the back inside cover, write down the conversion factors needed to convert (c) mi to km

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Identify the conversion factor between miles and kilometers. The standard conversion is 1 mile = 1.60934 kilometers.
Set up the conversion equation using the identified conversion factor. If you have a distance in miles (mi), you can convert it to kilometers (km) by multiplying by the conversion factor.
Write the equation: \( \text{distance in km} = \text{distance in mi} \times 1.60934 \).
Ensure that the units cancel appropriately, leaving you with the desired unit of kilometers.
Apply this conversion factor to any given distance in miles to find the equivalent distance in kilometers.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Metric and English Units

Metric units, such as kilometers (km), are part of the International System of Units (SI) and are based on powers of ten, making conversions straightforward. English units, like miles (mi), are part of the imperial system and do not follow a consistent base, requiring specific conversion factors to translate between systems.
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Conversion Factors

A conversion factor is a numerical ratio used to express a quantity in one unit as an equivalent quantity in another unit. For example, to convert miles to kilometers, the conversion factor is approximately 1.60934 km per 1 mi, allowing for the accurate transformation of measurements between the two systems.
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Dimensional Analysis

Dimensional analysis is a mathematical technique used to convert units by multiplying by conversion factors that cancel out the original units. This method ensures that the final result is expressed in the desired units, facilitating accurate calculations and understanding of the relationships between different measurement systems.
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