117 cm as Inches: A Beginner's Guide to Unit Conversion
We often encounter measurements in different units, creating a need for conversion. Imagine trying to buy fabric in one country using centimeters (cm), only to find the store uses inches (in). Knowing how to convert between these units is crucial. This article will guide you through the process of converting 117 centimeters to inches, explaining the concepts in a clear and simple way.
Section 1: Understanding Centimeters and Inches
Before we begin converting, let’s understand the units involved. Both centimeters and inches are units of length.
Centimeter (cm): This is a unit in the metric system, a decimal-based system used worldwide. Think of a centimeter as roughly the width of your pinky fingernail. Ten centimeters make up a decimeter, and 100 centimeters make up a meter (roughly the distance from your nose to your outstretched hand).
Inch (in): This is a unit in the imperial system, primarily used in the United States. An inch is approximately the length of the top segment of your thumb. Twelve inches make up a foot, and three feet make up a yard.
The key difference is that the metric system is based on powers of 10 (easy to multiply and divide by 10, 100, 1000, etc.), while the imperial system uses less intuitive relationships between its units.
Section 2: The Conversion Factor
To convert between centimeters and inches, we need a conversion factor. This factor tells us how many inches are equal to one centimeter (or vice versa). This factor is approximately 2.54 centimeters per inch. This means that 1 inch is equal to 2.54 centimeters. Think of it like a recipe: you need 2.54 cm of "cm-ingredient" to make 1 inch of "inch-product".
This conversion factor is crucial because it provides the bridge between the two different measurement systems.
Section 3: Calculating 117 cm to Inches
Now, let's convert 117 centimeters to inches. We'll use the conversion factor we just learned. Since 1 inch is equal to 2.54 centimeters, we can set up a simple equation:
1 inch = 2.54 cm
To find out how many inches are in 117 cm, we can use the following method:
Method 1: Using Division
We know that 2.54 cm equals 1 inch. To find how many inches are in 117 cm, we divide 117 cm by 2.54 cm/inch:
117 cm / 2.54 cm/inch ≈ 46.06 inches
Method 2: Using Proportions
We can also set up a proportion:
1 inch / 2.54 cm = x inches / 117 cm
To solve for x (the number of inches), we cross-multiply:
1 inch 117 cm = 2.54 cm x inches
117 cm = 2.54 cm x inches
x inches = 117 cm / 2.54 cm
x inches ≈ 46.06 inches
Both methods yield the same result: 117 centimeters is approximately equal to 46.06 inches.
Section 4: Understanding Significant Figures
The answer we got, 46.06 inches, includes four significant figures. Significant figures represent the number of digits in a measurement that carry meaning contributing to its precision. Since our conversion factor (2.54) has three significant figures, and our initial measurement (117) has three significant figures, we should round our answer to three significant figures. Therefore, a more accurate representation would be 46.1 inches.
Section 5: Real-World Application
Let's say you're buying a piece of wood that measures 117 cm in length. A lumber yard uses inches. You now know that it is approximately 46.1 inches long, allowing you to communicate effectively with the lumberyard staff.
Recap
We've learned that 117 centimeters is approximately equal to 46.1 inches. We achieved this conversion using the conversion factor of 2.54 cm per inch, applying both division and proportional methods. Understanding significant figures helped us refine our answer to a more precise representation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is the conversion factor always exactly 2.54? The conversion factor is defined as 2.54 cm per inch. While practical measurements may have slight variations due to limitations in measuring instruments, the conversion factor remains a standard value.
2. Can I convert inches to centimeters using the same factor? Yes! You can rearrange the conversion to solve for centimeters: 1 inch = 2.54 cm can be rewritten as 1 cm = 1 inch / 2.54. You simply divide the number of inches by 2.54 to get the equivalent in centimeters.
3. What if I need to convert a larger or smaller number of centimeters? The method remains the same. Simply divide the number of centimeters by 2.54 to find the equivalent in inches.
4. Are there online converters available? Yes, many online converters can perform this calculation quickly and easily. These can be a helpful tool to verify your calculations.
5. Why are there two different systems of measurement? Historically, different regions developed their own systems of measurement, leading to the coexistence of the metric and imperial systems. The metric system is now the internationally preferred system due to its simplicity and ease of use.
Note: Conversion is based on the latest values and formulas.
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