How do you convert 1.2 cm to inches?
The correct answer and explanation is:
To convert 1.2 centimeters (cm) to inches, you use the standard conversion factor:
1 inch = 2.54 centimeters
Step-by-step Calculation:
Inches=Centimeters2.54\text{Inches} = \frac{\text{Centimeters}}{2.54} Inches=1.22.54≈0.4724\text{Inches} = \frac{1.2}{2.54} \approx 0.4724
✅ Final Answer:
1.2 cm is approximately 0.472 inches
✍️ Explanation (300 words):
Centimeters and inches are both units used to measure length or distance, but they belong to different systems. The centimeter is part of the metric system, which is used widely around the world, especially in science and most countries. The inch is part of the imperial system, which is used mainly in the United States and a few other countries.
To convert between these units, we use a conversion factor. This factor is based on an exact relationship:
- 1 inch = 2.54 centimeters
This means that 1 inch is equivalent to 2.54 cm in length. Therefore, to convert from centimeters to inches, you divide the number of centimeters by 2.54.
In our example, we want to convert 1.2 cm to inches: 1.2÷2.54=0.47241.2 \div 2.54 = 0.4724
This tells us that 1.2 cm is approximately 0.472 inches, which is just under half an inch.
This kind of conversion is especially useful in fields like engineering, construction, tailoring, or when traveling between countries that use different measurement systems. For instance, a product labeled 1.2 cm thick in a country using the metric system might be described as about 0.47 inches thick in the U.S.
To reverse the process—converting inches to centimeters—you would multiply by 2.54 instead of dividing.
In summary, converting units like centimeters to inches is a simple process as long as you remember the conversion factor and apply it correctly.