1 kilogram is equivalent to about 2.2 pounds. An orangutan weighs 142 pounds. What is its mass in kilograms? Round your answer to the nearest tenth.
The correct answer and explanation is:
To find the mass of the orangutan in kilograms, we need to convert pounds to kilograms using the given conversion factor:
1 kilogram ≈ 2.2 pounds
Step-by-Step Calculation:
We are given:
- Weight in pounds = 142 lb
- Conversion factor = 1 kg ≈ 2.2 lb
To convert pounds to kilograms: Mass in kg=Weight in lb2.2\text{Mass in kg} = \frac{\text{Weight in lb}}{2.2} Mass in kg=1422.2≈64.545\text{Mass in kg} = \frac{142}{2.2} \approx 64.545
Now round to the nearest tenth: 64.545≈64.5 kg64.545 \approx \boxed{64.5\ \text{kg}}
✅ Final Answer:
64.5 kilograms\boxed{64.5\ \text{kilograms}}
📘 Explanation (300 words):
In science and everyday applications, it’s often necessary to convert between different units of measurement. One common conversion is between pounds (lb) and kilograms (kg), especially when dealing with body weight or mass across different countries.
Pounds are commonly used in the United States, while kilograms are used in most other countries and are part of the International System of Units (SI). The conversion factor between these units is approximately:
1 kilogram = 2.2 pounds
This means that every kilogram weighs about 2.2 pounds. So, to go from pounds to kilograms, we divide the number of pounds by 2.2.
In this case, we’re given that an orangutan weighs 142 pounds. To find the equivalent in kilograms, we divide 142 by 2.2, which equals approximately 64.545. Since the question asks us to round to the nearest tenth, we look at the hundredths place (4). Since 4 is less than 5, we round down, resulting in 64.5 kilograms.
This conversion is not just mathematical—it has practical applications. For example, wildlife researchers or zookeepers may use metric units to report animal weights internationally. Understanding how to convert units accurately ensures clear communication across scientific and medical fields.
So, the mass of the orangutan is 64.5 kg.