Use dimensional analysis to convert 2.5 kg to lbs
The correct answer and explanation is:
Correct Answer:
2.5 kilograms (kg) = 5.5 pounds (lbs)
Explanation:
To convert from kilograms to pounds using dimensional analysis, we use the conversion factor that 1 kilogram is approximately equal to 2.20462 pounds. Dimensional analysis is a mathematical technique that uses conversion factors to move from one unit to another. It is especially useful in science and engineering where unit consistency is critical.
Start with the given value:
2.5 kg
Then multiply by the conversion factor in a way that cancels out the unit of kilograms and introduces pounds:
2.5 kg × (2.20462 lbs / 1 kg)
The unit “kg” in the numerator and denominator cancel each other out, leaving only the unit “lbs”:
2.5 × 2.20462 = 5.51155 lbs
Rounded to one decimal place, this gives 5.5 lbs.
Dimensional analysis works by ensuring that the units of measurement behave like algebraic quantities. Units can cancel out, and the result can be expressed in the desired unit. This method helps avoid mistakes in unit conversions and provides a clear and logical path from the starting value to the final result.
The conversion from kilograms to pounds is often used in daily life, especially in countries that use the metric system but need to compare or communicate weight in the imperial system, like in international shipping or medical fields. Since the pound is a commonly used unit of mass in countries like the United States, understanding how to convert between these two units is essential for accuracy and clear communication.
Thus, using dimensional analysis, 2.5 kg equals 5.5 lbs.