The height of a horse is usually measured in hands instead of in feet, where 1 hand equals 1/3 ft (exactly). (a) How tall in centimeters is a horse of 18.6 hands?

Verified step by step guidance

1. Start by identifying the conversion factors needed: 1 hand = \( \frac{1}{3} \) ft and 1 ft = 30.48 cm.
2. Convert the height of the horse from hands to feet by multiplying 18.6 hands by \( \frac{1}{3} \) ft/hand.
3. Calculate the height in feet using the conversion factor.
4. Convert the height from feet to centimeters by multiplying the result in feet by 30.48 cm/ft.
5. Calculate the final height in centimeters using the conversion factor.

Key Concepts

Unit Conversion

Unit conversion is the process of converting a measurement from one unit to another. In this question, we need to convert the height of a horse measured in hands to centimeters. Understanding how to convert between different units of measurement is essential for solving problems in chemistry and other sciences.

Measurement of Height

Height is a linear measurement that can be expressed in various units, such as feet, inches, or centimeters. In this context, the height of a horse is given in hands, which is a traditional unit in equestrian contexts. Knowing how to interpret and convert these measurements is crucial for accurate calculations.

Metric System

The metric system is a decimal-based system of measurement used globally, where units such as meters and centimeters are standard. Converting hands to centimeters requires an understanding of the metric system, as it provides a consistent framework for measurement that is widely accepted in scientific contexts.