Question 26 A cat weighs 8.4 lb. What is the mass of the cat in kilograms? (1 kg = 2.2046 lb) 0.26 kg 3 10.6 kg 19 kg 3.8 kg 8.4 kg Question 27 40 minutes remaining
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
To convert the cat’s weight from pounds to kilograms, we apply the conversion factor:
Mass (kg)=Mass (lb)Conversion factor=8.4 lb2.2046 lb/kg≈3.8128 kg\text{Mass (kg)} = \frac{\text{Mass (lb)}}{\text{Conversion factor}} = \frac{8.4 \text{ lb}}{2.2046 \text{ lb/kg}} \approx 3.8128 \text{ kg}
So, the correct answer is 3.8 kg, which corresponds to option D.
Detailed Explanation
When converting between different units of measurement, understanding the relationship between those units is essential. In this case, we are converting pounds (a unit commonly used in the United States) to kilograms, the standard unit of mass in the metric system.
The provided conversion factor is that one kilogram equals 2.2046 pounds. This means that a mass of 2.2046 pounds has the same magnitude as 1 kilogram. To convert pounds to kilograms, we divide the given value in pounds by this factor. It is important to divide rather than multiply, since we are trying to find out how many groups of 2.2046 pounds fit into the total weight.
Mathematically:
8.42.2046≈3.8128\frac{8.4}{2.2046} \approx 3.8128
This means that 8.4 pounds is equal to approximately 3.8128 kilograms. In multiple-choice exams, rounding is often necessary. Since 3.8128 rounds to 3.8 when we limit it to one decimal place, the final result is 3.8 kilograms.
Among the answer choices, 3.8 kg is the only one that accurately matches the converted value. The other options either underrepresent or overestimate the cat’s actual mass.
Practically, this kind of conversion is used across various disciplines such as veterinary science, biology, and even shipping logistics. Understanding and applying correct conversion techniques helps ensure accuracy in documentation, scientific experimentation, and daily communication between international systems. Mistakes in unit conversion can have serious consequences, particularly in medical or engineering fields, so mastering such calculations is a foundational skill in quantitative reasoning.
