Solve each of the following problems using one or more conversion factors: c. An athlete has 15% body fat by mass. What is the weight of fat, in pounds, of a 74-kg athlete?

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the given information: the athlete has 15% body fat by mass and weighs 74 kg.
2. Convert the athlete's weight from kilograms to pounds using the conversion factor: 1 kg = 2.20462 pounds.
3. Calculate the total weight of the athlete in pounds by multiplying the weight in kilograms by the conversion factor.
4. Determine the weight of the body fat by calculating 15% of the total weight in pounds.
5. Express the final result as the weight of fat in pounds.

Key Concepts

Body Fat Percentage

Body fat percentage is a measure of the amount of fat in a person's body relative to their total body mass. In this context, it indicates that 15% of the athlete's total weight is composed of fat. Understanding this concept is crucial for calculating the actual weight of fat based on the athlete's total mass.

Mass to Weight Conversion

Mass is a measure of the amount of matter in an object, typically expressed in kilograms or grams, while weight is the force exerted by gravity on that mass, usually measured in pounds or newtons. To convert mass from kilograms to pounds, one can use the conversion factor where 1 kg is approximately equal to 2.20462 pounds. This conversion is essential for expressing the athlete's weight in the desired unit.

Conversion Factors

Conversion factors are ratios that express how one unit of measurement relates to another, allowing for the conversion between different units. In this problem, the conversion factor will be used to translate the athlete's mass in kilograms to pounds and to calculate the weight of fat based on the body fat percentage. Mastery of using conversion factors is vital for solving problems involving different measurement systems.