Problem 70 - Chemistry

Question

Weights in England are commonly measured in stones, where 1 stone \(=14 \mathrm{lb}\). What is the weight in pounds of a person who weighs \(8.65\) stones?

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

The person weighs 121.1 pounds.

Step 1: Understanding the Conversion

Recognize that the exercise requires converting a given weight from stones to pounds. The conversion factor given is that 1 stone is equivalent to 14 pounds.

Step 2: Setting Up the Conversion Equation

To convert from stones to pounds, multiply the number of stones by the conversion factor of 14 pounds per stone. Denote the number of stones as 8.65.

Step 3: Performing the Calculation

Calculate the weight in pounds by multiplying 8.65 by 14. This gives: \[ 8.65 \times 14 = 121.1 \text{ pounds} \]

Step 4: Interpreting the Result

The final result indicates that a person who weighs 8.65 stones has a weight of 121.1 pounds.

Key Concepts

Weight Measurement

Weight measurement is a way to quantify the heaviness of an object or person. In different parts of the world, weight is measured using various units. In England, one of the traditional units is the stone.
A stone is not commonly used globally, but it holds historical significance in the UK. Generally, weight measurement helps us understand and communicate how heavy or light something is. Common weight units include pounds, kilograms, grams, and ounces besides stones.
Each unit can represent different scales of measurement, such as kilograms and grams in the metric system, or pounds and ounces in the imperial system. The unit you choose depends on regional practices or the specific field of study in which you're working. Weight measurement can help in fields like health and fitness, cooking, and science. It's essential to use the right unit and correctly convert between units when necessary, ensuring accurate communication and understanding.

Metric Conversions

Metric conversions are essential for converting measurements from one unit to another. This is necessary because different countries and regions use various systems of measurement.
In this particular exercise, we're focused on converting stones to pounds. These units are part of the British imperial system. When converting, the first step is to identify the conversion factor, which is a number that relates two units of measure. For example, in this case, 1 stone equals 14 pounds.
This relationship allows you to convert a measurement in stones to pounds by multiplying by this factor. If you have a measurement of 8.65 stone, you multiply by 14 to find out how many pounds it equals. To convert between units in the metric system, you might use a factor like 1 kilogram equals 1000 grams.

• Always remember to multiply when converting from a larger unit to a smaller one.
• Conversely, divide to go from a smaller unit to a larger one.

Mastering metric conversions enhances numerical Literacy and facilitates communication across different measurement systems.

Arithmetic Operations

Arithmetic operations are basic mathematical calculations that include addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. These operations are fundamental to solving real-world problems, such as converting between units.
Understanding how to apply these operations correctly is key in this example of converting stones to pounds. When you multiply, as in this exercise, you are repeatedly adding a number to itself. Here, we're multiplying 8.65 stone by the conversion factor of 14 to convert to pounds. This means we're adding 8.65 to itself 14 times. To perform this accurately:

• Align the decimal points for precision if doing it manually.
• Use tools like calculators for larger or complex numbers.

Division may be required when reducing larger measurements back into smaller units, or in other calculations.
Grasping these operations ensures that you can handle numerical data and make valid conclusions, supporting a deeper understanding of mathematical principles.