What counts as a conversion factor ?
Usually a ratio of one number to another that converts one unit to another unit.
Thanks. I thought that's what it was, I just needed reassurance.
A conversion factor is a ratio or a multiplier that converts between different units of measurement. It is used to express the same physical quantity in different unit systems. A conversion factor relates a known value or measurement in one unit to the equivalent value in another unit. In other words, it allows you to convert from one unit to another by multiplying or dividing.
Here are a few examples of conversion factors:
1. Length: To convert from inches to centimeters, the conversion factor is 2.54 cm/inch. To convert from centimeters to meters, the conversion factor is 0.01 m/cm.
2. Weight: To convert from pounds to kilograms, the conversion factor is 0.4536 kg/lb. To convert from grams to milligrams, the conversion factor is 1000 mg/g.
3. Volume: To convert from liters to milliliters, the conversion factor is 1000 mL/L. To convert from gallons to liters, the conversion factor is 3.7854 L/gal.
To calculate conversions, you usually multiply the value you want to convert by the appropriate conversion factor. For example, to convert 10 inches to centimeters, you would multiply 10 inches by 2.54 cm/inch to get 25.4 centimeters.
It's important to ensure that the units cancel out properly during the conversion process to obtain the desired result.