To convert 12 cm to inches, we will use the conversion factor of 1 inch = 2.54 cm. This means that for every 1 inch, there are 2.54 cm.
Step 1: Write down the given value, 12 cm.
Step 2: Set up a ratio using the conversion factor, with inches on top and cm on the bottom. It will look like this: 1 inch/2.54 cm.
Step 3: Multiply the given value (12 cm) by the ratio we just set up. This can be done by cross-multiplying or using the formula a/b = c/d, where a and d are the values you want to convert and b and c are the conversion factors. For this problem, it will look like this: 12 cm x (1 inch/2.54 cm).
Step 4: Simplify the values, in this case, the cm units will cancel out, leaving us with inches. Therefore, 12 cm x (1 inch/2.54 cm) = 12/2.54 inches.
Step 5: Use a calculator to solve the equation. 12/2.54 is equal to 4.7244094, rounding it off to 4.72.
Step 6: Write the final answer with the correct unit. Therefore, 12 cm is equal to 4.72 inches.
In conclusion, to convert 12 cm to inches, we multiplied the given value by the conversion factor of 1 inch = 2.54 cm, and then simplified the units to get our final answer of 4.72 inches.