Question

What's the best way to learn conversions?

Answer 1

I'm homeschooled through FLVS, and I just did the chapter on them, (conversions), but I still have no earthly idea how to do them..

Answer 2

which type of conversion????

Answer 3

Like cm to dm^3.. Stuff like that. Wait, there's more than one kind?!

Answer 4

analytical conversion, u can take help from...

Answer 5

Whoa, what the heck?

Answer 6

/0

Answer 7

The best way to learn conversion is to realize units cancel out when you divide or multiply

Answer 8

See, I get that, but I can't figure out what to multiply by to get them to be able to cancel..

Answer 9

How to deal with units in mathematics:

Essentially they follow exponent laws.

Multiplication increases the power of a unit by one for example

1cm*1cm = 1cm^2

division of units

Units cancel out by division:
Examples:

1cm/1cm = 1

2cm^2/2cm^3 = 2cm^-1 or 2/1cm

So conversion is simple,

Just say you wanted to convert 40cm to m

We know that:
100cm = 1m

so make up a ratio and multiply it by the ratio of the two units that cancels out the units you want to get rid of and gives you the units you want.

so,

40cm*1m/100cm = 40m/100

Units cancel out, this works for all units

Another example

convert 4cm/s to m/minute

1m = 100cm
60s = 1minute

make up the right ratios

4cm/s*(60seconds/1minute)*(1m/100cm) = 4*60m/100minutes

Also a side note that relates more to units not conversion

you cannot add or subtract units of different dimensions it doesn't make sense to for example,

you cannot add,

1cm^2 + 1cm
1cm + 1L

Answer 10

or subtract

Answer 11

units of different dimensions

Answer 12

Now you shouldn't struggle with any more conversion problems or units in general

Answer 13

/ means divided btw

Answer 14

Okay, so this is the problem I'm working on:
Convert 1.43 g/mL to the unit g/m^3.

Answer 15

Wouldn't I multiply 1.43 g/mL by 1mL/10^-3 m?

Answer 16

@Australopithecus

Answer 17

yes that seems right

Answer 18

As long as you understand those rules I posted above you will be fine.

Answer 19

so, 1.43g/10^-3m

Answer 20

I get all that, I just never know what to multiply by, and it takes me forever just to do one question... Then you have to cube it, right?

Answer 21

Also, as an aside when I say of different units you can add,

10cm + 1inch

you just need to convert them to common units

Answer 22

that works for subtractions as well

Answer 23

oh wait one second need to reread your question out of it man

Answer 24

oh its fine nvm

Answer 25

Huh?

Answer 26

What are you cubing?

Answer 27

The fraction we multiplied the original by, because our answer has to have m^3 on the bottom..

Answer 28

There is something you need to be careful,

Just say you have

1cm*1cm*1cm and you want it in m^3

You need to convert each unit separately,

so,

1cm*(1m/100cm)*1cm*(1m/100cm)*1cm*(1m/100cm)

or

1^3cm*(1m/100cm)^3

Answer 29

Sorry that is the one rule I forgot

Answer 30

Oh I misread the question,

1.43 g/mL to the unit g/m^3.

Answer 31

1mL = 10^-6m^3

Remember both are just units of volume

Answer 32

Length^3 = volume
Length^2 = surface area
Length^1 = Just length

Answer 33

So it should be 10^-6 m^3 on the bottom?

Answer 34

yeah

Answer 35

1mL = 1cm*1cm*1cm
so,

1mL =1cm*(1m/100cm)*1cm*(1m/100cm)*1cm*(1m/100cm)

Answer 36

1mL = 10^-6m^3

Answer 37

I'm only confused on the 100's part, where did we get -6?

Answer 38

1mL = 1cm*1cm*1cm
or
1mL = 1cm^3

so, 1mL =1cm*(1m/100cm)*1cm*(1m/100cm)*1cm*(1m/100cm)

Answer 39

1mL = 1*10^-6m

Answer 40

10^-2 = 0.01 = 1/100

so,

10^-2*10^-2*10^-2 = 10^-6
because -2 + -2 + -2 = -6

or,

(10^-2)^3 = 10^-6
because -2*3 = -6

Answer 41

This is straight forward exponent laws

Answer 42

Oh, because 1ml=10^-2m? And I got the exponent addition and multiplication thing, I just didn't realize we were using the meter thing..

Answer 43

no 1mL =/= 10^-2m

meters (m) is a unit of length not volume see my previous posts, anyways I have pretty much posted everything I can to help you if you have any further questions please ask, but review what I posted first

Answer 44

oops,

1mL = 1*10^-6m^3

Answer 45

Remember you are multiplying units look at the rule for multiplying units and commit it to memory

Answer 46

Sorry my brain is scrambled

Answer 47

Okay, well thatnks, I got the answer to that question. I just need more practice.. Because my test wants me to go from mL to cm to dm and then meters, and then square it..

Answer 48

that is easy just memorize the rules I showed you

Answer 49

and understand exponent laws

Answer 50

I will. :) Thanks again! God bless you!

Answer 51

Also nice name

Answer 52

Haha. Thanks! :DDD

Answer 53

Batman wasn't religious no no this doesn't add up at all

Answer 54

Yours too! What does it mean? An I'm the new and improved Batman.. woman.. whatever. :P

Answer 55

Batman post SRS

Answer 56

I haven't read those comics/seen that movie

Answer 57

Anyways good luck

Answer 58

Post what? Lol. Thanks, you too!