Chapter 2.2, Problem 30SSC

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

A student converts $\text{68}\text{km}$ to meters and gets an answer $\text{0}\text{.068}\text{m}$. The error in the answer needs to be identified.

Concept introduction:

Unit conversion can be defined as a multi-step process involving division or multiplication by a numerical factor, rounding and selection of correct number of significant digits.

Answer to Problem 30SSC

The final answer given in the problem is not correct. The conversion from kilometer to meter is improperly completed. There are $\text{1000}\text{meters}$ in $\text{1}\text{kilometer}$, which implies that the answer given is not possible. Hence, the final answer is $\text{68, 000}\text{m}$ not $\text{0}\text{.068}\text{m}$.

Explanation of Solution

The final answer given in the problem is not correct. The conversion from kilometer to meter is improperly completed. There are $\text{1000}\text{meters}$ in $\text{1}\text{kilometer}$, which implies that the answer given is not possible. The correct answer can be calculated as:

$1\text{km}=1000\text{m}$

$\begin{array}{c}\text{meters}=\text{68}\text{km}\times \frac{\text{1000}\text{m}}{\text{1}\text{km}}\\ =\text{68, 000}\text{m}\end{array}$

Hence, the final answer is $\text{68, 000}\text{m}$ not $\text{0}\text{.068}\text{m}$.

Conclusion

The final answer given in the problem is not correct. The conversion from kilometer to meter is improperly completed. There are $\text{1000}\text{meters}$ in $\text{1}\text{kilometer}$, which implies that the answer given is not possible. Hence, the final answer is $\text{68, 000}\text{m}$ not $\text{0}\text{.068}\text{m}$.