163cm in Feet and Inches: A Comprehensive Guide to Metric-Imperial Conversion
The ability to convert between metric (centimeters, meters, kilometers) and imperial (inches, feet, yards, miles) units is a crucial skill in various fields, from engineering and construction to everyday life. This article provides a thorough understanding of how to convert 163 centimeters (cm) into feet and inches, explaining the underlying principles and providing a step-by-step process. We will go beyond a simple conversion, delving into the rationale behind the conversion factors and addressing common misconceptions.
1. Understanding the Units:
Before diving into the conversion, it's essential to understand the units involved. The metric system, based on powers of 10, is predominantly used globally for scientific and technical purposes. The imperial system, prevalent in some countries like the United States, employs units like inches, feet, and yards with less consistent relationships.
Centimeter (cm): A unit of length in the metric system, equal to one-hundredth of a meter (1 cm = 0.01 m).
Inch (in): A unit of length in the imperial system, approximately 2.54 centimeters.
Foot (ft): A unit of length in the imperial system, equal to 12 inches.
The key to successful conversion lies in understanding the precise relationship between these units.
2. Establishing the Conversion Factors:
The core of any unit conversion is the conversion factor. This factor represents the ratio between the two units being converted. For converting centimeters to inches, the fundamental conversion factor is:
1 inch = 2.54 centimeters
This means that one inch is equivalent to 2.54 centimeters. We can express this relationship as two conversion factors:
1 in / 2.54 cm (used to convert cm to in)
2.54 cm / 1 in (used to convert in to cm)
The choice of which factor to use depends on the direction of the conversion. Since we want to convert centimeters to inches, we will use the first factor.
3. Converting 163cm to Inches:
To convert 163 centimeters to inches, we'll use the conversion factor (1 in / 2.54 cm) and perform the following calculation:
163 cm (1 in / 2.54 cm) = 64.1732 inches (approximately)
Notice how the 'cm' units cancel out, leaving us with the desired unit, 'inches'. The result is approximately 64.17 inches. However, this is not the standard way to present length measurements in the imperial system. We usually express it in feet and inches.
4. Converting Inches to Feet and Inches:
Since a foot contains 12 inches, we need to further convert the decimal portion of inches into feet and remaining inches.
Number of feet: Divide the total inches by 12: 64.17 in / 12 in/ft ≈ 5.3475 ft. This means there are approximately 5 feet.
Remaining inches: Find the remainder after dividing the total inches by 12: 64.17 in - (5 ft 12 in/ft) ≈ 4.17 in. This leaves approximately 4.17 inches.
Therefore, 163 centimeters is approximately 5 feet and 4.17 inches. For practical purposes, we might round this to 5 feet and 4.2 inches or even 5 feet and 4 inches. The level of precision depends on the context of the measurement.
5. Alternative Conversion Method (using meters as an intermediary):
Another approach involves converting centimeters to meters first and then meters to feet. Since 1 meter equals 100 centimeters and 1 foot is approximately 0.3048 meters, the conversion process looks like this:
1. Cm to Meters: 163 cm / 100 cm/m = 1.63 m
2. Meters to Feet: 1.63 m / 0.3048 m/ft ≈ 5.3475 ft
This again leads us to the same approximate result of 5.3475 feet, which translates to approximately 5 feet and 4.17 inches.
6. Significant Figures and Precision:
The precision of our final answer is dictated by the significant figures in the initial measurement (163 cm has three significant figures) and the accuracy of the conversion factor. Rounding to an appropriate number of significant figures is crucial to avoid misrepresenting the accuracy of the measurement.
Summary:
Converting 163 centimeters to feet and inches involves understanding the conversion factors between centimeters and inches, and then inches and feet. The process involves calculating the equivalent number of inches and subsequently dividing by 12 to obtain the number of feet and the remaining inches. The use of appropriate significant figures ensures that the final answer reflects the accuracy of the original measurement. Using either method outlined above, 163 cm is approximately 5 feet and 4.2 inches.
FAQs:
1. Why are there different conversion factors for centimeters to inches? There are two conversion factors (1 in / 2.54 cm and 2.54 cm / 1 in) because they represent the inverse relationship between the two units. Choosing the correct factor is crucial for the correct conversion.
2. Is it acceptable to round the answer to 5 feet and 4 inches? Rounding to 5 feet and 4 inches is acceptable in many contexts, especially when high precision is not required. However, for precise measurements in engineering or scientific applications, more decimal places are usually needed.
3. Can I use an online converter? Yes, online converters are readily available and can provide quick conversions. However, understanding the underlying principles is crucial for effective problem-solving and avoiding errors.
4. What is the exact value of 163 cm in feet and inches? There is no truly "exact" value because the relationship between inches and centimeters is an approximation (1 inch ≈ 2.54 cm). However, using the conversion factor 2.54 cm per inch, we get a highly accurate value of approximately 5 feet and 4.1732 inches.
5. How important is understanding significant figures in this context? Understanding significant figures ensures that the final answer doesn't imply more accuracy than the original measurement allows. It's important to avoid reporting more decimal places than justified by the original data.
Note: Conversion is based on the latest values and formulas.
Formatted Text:
convert 6 cm into inches convert 850cm to mm convert how tall is 50 centimeters convert 13 cm in inch convert 179 cm in ft convert how to convert cm in to inches convert how many centimeters are in 75 inches convert whats 40cm in inches convert 120 centimetres convert 420 cm in feet convert how much is 13 centimeters in inches convert 180cms convert how big is 105 cm convert convert 13 cm into inches convert 158 cm to feet inches convert
