The world’s record for hair length is 243 inches. How many feet is this? Round to the nearest tenth.
The correct answer and explanation is:
To convert 243 inches to feet, we use the conversion factor:
1 foot = 12 inches
Step-by-step Calculation:
Feet=243 inches12 inches per foot=20.25 feet\text{Feet} = \frac{243 \text{ inches}}{12 \text{ inches per foot}} = 20.25 \text{ feet}
So, 243 inches = 20.3 feet (rounded to the nearest tenth).
✅ Final Answer: 20.3 feet
🧠 Explanation (300 words):
In the Imperial system of measurement, length is commonly expressed in inches, feet, yards, and miles. These units are related through fixed conversion values. One of the most commonly used relationships is:
12 inches = 1 foot
So, to convert any measurement in inches to feet, you divide the number of inches by 12.
In this problem, we are given that the world record for hair length is 243 inches, and we are asked to express this length in feet, rounded to the nearest tenth (which means one decimal place).
Here’s the calculation again: 24312=20.25\frac{243}{12} = 20.25
Now we round 20.25 to the nearest tenth. The digit in the hundredths place is 5, so we round up the tenths place from 2 to 3. Therefore, the final rounded answer is:
20.3 feet
This measurement tells us just how long the record-setting hair is—over 20 feet! For perspective, that’s about the length of a small bus or a two-story building.
This type of conversion is not only useful in mathematics but also in science, construction, fashion, and even record-keeping, where precise length measurements are often required in different units.
Understanding how to convert between units helps us communicate measurements more clearly and make better decisions, especially when comparing sizes, estimating materials, or reporting extreme records like this one!