A car is 8.4 lb. what is the mass of the cat in kilograms
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
To convert the weight of the cat from pounds to kilograms, we use the conversion factor:
1 kilogram = 2.2 pounds
Step-by-step Conversion:
We are given:
- Weight of the cat = 8.4 pounds
Using the formula: Mass in kilograms=Mass in pounds2.2\text{Mass in kilograms} = \frac{\text{Mass in pounds}}{2.2}Mass in kilograms=2.2Mass in pounds Mass in kilograms=8.42.2≈3.82 kg\text{Mass in kilograms} = \frac{8.4}{2.2} \approx 3.82 \, \text{kg}Mass in kilograms=2.28.4≈3.82kg
Final Answer:
The mass of the cat is approximately 3.82 kilograms
Explanation
Converting between units is an essential skill in science and everyday life. In this case, we are converting from pounds, a unit of weight commonly used in the United States, to kilograms, the metric unit of mass used in most other parts of the world.
Although pounds measure weight, which depends on gravity, and kilograms measure mass, which is constant regardless of location, on Earth the two can be directly converted using a known ratio. The standard conversion factor between pounds and kilograms is based on the definition that 1 kilogram is equal to approximately 2.2 pounds.
To make this conversion, we take the number of pounds and divide it by 2.2. This gives us the equivalent mass in kilograms. For example, an 8.4 pound cat divided by 2.2 equals about 3.82 kilograms. This means that a cat weighing 8.4 pounds on a scale would have a mass of 3.82 kilograms.
This kind of conversion is especially useful in international settings, such as veterinary care, scientific research, or when reading product information. Being comfortable with converting between units helps in comparing measurements across different systems and understanding quantities more universally.
It is important to note that if we were calculating this on another planet where gravity is different, pounds and kilograms would not be interchangeable this way. But for use on Earth, dividing pounds by 2.2 is a reliable method to convert to kilograms.
