Unit conversion
The process of expressing a measured quantity in different units while preserving the actual value. Conversion requires multiplying or dividing by appropriate conversion factors derived from the relationship between the two unit systems. Common conversions include length (cm ↔ m), mass (g ↔ kg), and time (minutes ↔ seconds).
Real World
NASA's Mars Climate Orbiter was lost in 1999 because Lockheed Martin supplied thrust data in pound-force·seconds while NASA expected newton·seconds — a $125 million unit conversion error.
Exam Focus
Show every conversion factor as a fraction equal to one (e.g. 1 km / 1000 m) so examiners can follow your working.
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