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Conversion Factor

This video presents the same text shown beside it, spoken and on screen. It adds nothing the text does not say.

State

A conversion factor is a ratio of two equivalent quantities in different units, equal to one, changing a unit without changing value.

Show

Because 1 in. equals 2.54 cm, both 2.54 cm/1 in. and 1 in./2.54 cm are valid factors, each equal to one.

Watch for

Only one orientation of a conversion factor cancels the starting unit — the wrong one produces a nonsense unit.