To convert square miles (sq mi) to square kilometers (sq km), you can use the following step-by-step instructions:
Step 1: Understand the conversion factor
1 square mile is equal to approximately 2.59 square kilometers. This conversion factor is derived from the fact that 1 mile is equal to 1.60934 kilometers.
Step 2: Set up the conversion equation
To convert square miles to square kilometers, you can use the following equation:
Square kilometers = Square miles × Conversion factor
Step 3: Perform the conversion
Multiply the number of square miles by the conversion factor to get the equivalent value in square kilometers.
For example, let’s convert 10 square miles to square kilometers:
Square kilometers = 10 sq mi × 2.59 sq km/sq mi
Square kilometers = 25.9 sq km
Therefore, 10 square miles is equal to 25.9 square kilometers.
Remember to always include the appropriate units in your final answer.
Note: If you are using an online converter or calculator, you can simply input the value in square miles and select the desired output unit (square kilometers) to get the result directly.