Converting units of length may seem intimidating, but with a little practice and understanding, it can become second nature. In this case, we will be converting centimeters (cm) to inches using a simple conversion factor.
Step 1: Understand the conversion factor
The conversion factor for converting centimeters to inches is 1 cm = 0.393701 inches. This means that for every 1 centimeter, there are 0.393701 inches. Remembering this factor will make the conversion process much easier.
Step 2: Identify the given measurement
In our case, we have been given the value of 4.5 cm. This means that we have 4.5 centimeters that we need to convert to inches.
Step 3: Set up the conversion equation
To convert cm to inches, we will use the conversion factor mentioned above. We can set up the equation as follows:
4.5 cm x 0.393701 inches = ?
Step 4: Simplify the equation
We can solve this equation by simply multiplying 4.5 by 0.393701, which gives us 1.771655. This means that 4.5 cm is equal to 1.771655 inches. However, we should round this value to the appropriate number of significant figures, which in this case is one. This means that the final answer is 1.8 inches.
Step 5: Write the final answer
After rounding, the final conversion is 4.5 cm = 1.8 inches. It is always important to remember to include the correct unit in the final answer.
In summary, converting units of length can be done by understanding the conversion factor, setting up the conversion equation, simplifying it, and rounding the final answer to the appropriate number of significant figures. By following these steps, you can easily convert any given measurement from centimeters to inches or vice versa.