Understanding Conversions: Why 180 cm is 5 Feet 11 Inches

The confusion surrounding the conversion of centimeters to inches and feet often arises from the use of incorrect conversion factors. To clarify, let’s examine the correct conversion process and how slight errors in rounding can impact the final result.

Correct Conversion Factors

First and foremost, it is crucial to understand the correct conversion factors. While many believe that 1 inch is equal to 2.5 cm, the precise conversion is actually 1 inch 2.54 cm. This small difference in the conversion factor can significantly affect the final measurement when converting larger values like 180 cm.

Converting 180 cm to Inches

Let’s begin by converting 180 cm to inches using the correct conversion factor:

Inches 180 cm / 2.54 cm/inch ≈ 70.87 inches

Converting Inches to Feet

Once we have the total number of inches, we need to convert this to feet. There are 12 inches in a foot, so we divide the total number of inches by 12:

Feet 70.87 inches / 12 inches/foot ≈ 5.90 feet

This means that 70.87 inches is approximately 5 feet and 10.87 inches. When rounding to the nearest inch, this becomes 5 feet 11 inches.

Final Breakdown

To summarize, 180 cm is approximately 5 feet 11 inches when using the correct conversion factor of 1 inch 2.54 cm. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of the process:

Divide 180 cm by 2.54 cm/inch to get the total number of inches: 180 cm / 2.54 cm/inch ≈ 70.87 inches. Divide the total number of inches by 12 to get the number of feet and the remaining inches: 70.87 inches / 12 ≈ 5 feet with a remainder of 10.87 inches.

Using the correct conversion factor ensures accuracy in measurements, particularly when dealing with larger values.

Key Takeaways

When converting between centimeters, inches, and feet, it is essential to use the correct conversion factors. Using the approximate value of 1 inch 2.5 cm can lead to slight discrepancies, especially when dealing with larger values. Understanding these differences can help avoid common errors and ensure accurate measurements.

Keywords: centimeters to inches, conversion factors, feet and inches