When multiplying conversion factors, make sure the only remaining units are the desired units.
See solution.
Practice makes perfect
We want to express 2 megabytes per second in megabytes per hour.
2 MB/s= MB/h
This means that we need to change megabytes per second into megabytes per hour. Let's start by organizing the relationships between the units in a table.
Starting Unit
Converted Unit
Unit Ratio
60 seconds
1minute
60s/1min
60minutes
1 hour
60min/1h
To perform this conversion, we need to multiply the speed in megabytes per second by each unit ratio or its reciprocal. Remember, we want to arrange these ratios such that every unit we do not want gets canceled out, and only the units that we want will remain.
We found that the computer can access the Internet at a speed of 7200 megabytes per hour.
Extra
Common Conversion Factors
Use the following tool to explore some of the most commonly used conversion factors. Conversions can be made both within or between the metric system and the imperial system, also known as the U.S. Customary System.
Around the world, people use conversion factors on a regular basis. You can read more about some practical applications of conversion factors in our original content.
