Expert: Jack Cheng - 11/30/2006

Question
Please help walk me thru the process of converting units of measurement. I need to convert 100 yards to inches. I know it's simple but I always mess it up somewhere along the way.
Thanks

Answer
Hi Jennifer,

I am not sure which way you are doing it, but here's how I do it:

100 yards * (3 ft / yard) = 300 ft
300 ft * (12 in / ft) = 3600 in.

First, write out your conversion (e.g. 3 ft / yard, 12 in / ft). Multiply it to your initial measurement.

Notice when you multiply, the yards (1st step) and feet (2nd step) cancel out. If the units don't cancel, you need to flip the conversion. For example, if in the first step you multiply by 1 yard / 3 ft, the units don't cancel out. Then you know you need to change it to 3 ft / yard.

I hope this helps,
Jack