Chemistry / Unit 1 Chem 0160 worked example, 60 to 90 seconds
Single-Step Unit Conversion
The idea
A single-step unit conversion multiplies a measured quantity by one conversion factor, oriented so the unwanted unit cancels algebraically, leaving only the desired unit behind.
In practice
To convert a 125 g frisbee's mass to ounces using 1 oz = 28.349 g, multiply 125 g × (1 oz / 28.349 g). The grams cancel, leaving 125 ÷ 28.349 ≈ 4.41 oz, a number now attached to the target unit rather than the starting one.
Where people slip
Writing the conversion factor upside down, as 28.349 g / 1 oz, leaves grams squared over ounces instead of canceling grams — checking that the unwanted unit visibly cancels, on paper, before finishing the arithmetic is the way to catch this mistake early rather than after the fact.
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