164 cm to Inches to Feet: A Beginner's Guide to Unit Conversion
Have you ever wondered how tall you are in feet and inches, if you know your height in centimeters? Or perhaps you're comparing measurements for furniture from different countries and need to convert units? Understanding how to convert between centimeters, inches, and feet is a valuable skill, useful in many everyday situations. This article will guide you through the process of converting 164 centimeters (cm) into inches and then into feet, using simple steps and clear explanations.
Section 1: Understanding Measurement Units
Before we start converting, let's understand the units involved:
Centimeter (cm): This is a unit of length in the metric system. Imagine a centimeter as roughly the width of your pinky finger. A ruler typically shows centimeter markings.
Inch (in): This is a unit of length in the imperial system (used in the US and some other countries). An inch is approximately the length of the top segment of your thumb. A standard ruler usually displays both inches and centimeters.
Foot (ft): Also part of the imperial system, a foot is simply 12 inches. Imagine the length of a ruler—that's a foot!
The key to converting between these units lies in understanding the relationships between them. These relationships are expressed as conversion factors.
Section 2: Converting Centimeters to Inches
The conversion factor between centimeters and inches is approximately:
1 inch = 2.54 centimeters
This means that one inch is a little more than two and a half centimeters. To convert 164 cm to inches, we need to divide the number of centimeters by the conversion factor:
164 cm / 2.54 cm/in ≈ 64.57 inches
Think of it like this: if you have a long piece of string that measures 164 cm, and you divide it into segments, each 2.54 cm long (one inch), you'll find you have approximately 64.57 of these inch-long segments.
Therefore, 164 centimeters is approximately equal to 64.57 inches. We rounded the result to two decimal places for accuracy.
Section 3: Converting Inches to Feet
Now that we know 164 cm is approximately 64.57 inches, we can convert this to feet. The conversion factor here is:
1 foot = 12 inches
To convert inches to feet, we divide the number of inches by 12:
64.57 in / 12 in/ft ≈ 5.38 feet
Imagine you have 64.57 inches of ribbon. If you cut it into pieces, each 12 inches (one foot) long, you'll have approximately 5.38 feet of ribbon.
Therefore, 64.57 inches is approximately equal to 5.38 feet. Again, we've rounded the result for clarity.
Section 4: Combining the Conversions
To summarize, we converted 164 cm to feet in two steps:
1. cm to inches: 164 cm / 2.54 cm/in ≈ 64.57 in
2. inches to feet: 64.57 in / 12 in/ft ≈ 5.38 ft
Therefore, 164 cm is approximately 64.57 inches, or approximately 5.38 feet.
Section 5: Expressing the Result in Feet and Inches
While 5.38 feet is accurate, it's often more practical to express height in feet and inches. The 0.38 feet represents a fraction of a foot. To find this fraction in inches, we multiply 0.38 by 12:
0.38 ft 12 in/ft ≈ 4.56 in
So, 5.38 feet is approximately 5 feet and 4.56 inches. Rounding to the nearest inch, we get:
164 cm ≈ 5 feet and 5 inches
This is a more user-friendly way to express the height.
Recap
We've successfully converted 164 centimeters to inches and then to feet, learning about the important conversion factors and applying them step-by-step. Remember the key relationships: 1 inch = 2.54 cm and 1 foot = 12 inches. This knowledge allows you to effortlessly convert between metric and imperial units of length.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Why are there different measurement systems? Historically, different regions developed independent systems of measurement. The metric system is based on powers of 10, making calculations simpler, while the imperial system uses a less consistent set of units.
2. Are the conversion factors exact? The conversion factor 1 inch = 2.54 cm is an exact definition, but our results are approximations due to rounding.
3. Can I use a calculator for these conversions? Absolutely! Calculators can make these conversions much quicker and more accurate.
4. What if I need to convert from feet and inches back to centimeters? You'd reverse the process. First, convert feet to inches (multiply by 12), then add the remaining inches. Finally, convert the total inches to centimeters (multiply by 2.54).
5. What are some real-world applications of these conversions? Converting units is essential in many fields like construction, tailoring, cooking (following recipes from different countries), and even sports (comparing athletic performances). Understanding these conversions helps you navigate a world with diverse measurement systems.
Note: Conversion is based on the latest values and formulas.
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