Why Do We Multiply by 5/18 to Convert km/h to m/s?

Learn why multiplying by 5/18 converts speed from kilometers per hour to meters per second accurately and easily.

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We multiply by 5/18 to convert a speed from kilometers per hour (km/h) to meters per second (m/s). This conversion is necessary because 1 km equals 1000 meters and 1 hour equals 3600 seconds. Thus, to convert km/h into m/s, you divide the number of kilometers by 3.6 (which simplifies to 5/18), providing a practical method to quickly and accurately adjust speed measurements into a smaller, often more useful unit, especially in scientific and technical contexts.

FAQs & Answers

  1. Why is the factor 5/18 used to convert km/h to m/s? The factor 5/18 is used because 1 kilometer equals 1000 meters and 1 hour equals 3600 seconds. Dividing 1000 by 3600 simplifies to 5/18, which adjusts the units from km/h to m/s.
  2. How do I convert 90 km/h into m/s? To convert 90 km/h to m/s, multiply 90 by 5/18, resulting in 25 m/s.
  3. What is the difference between km/h and m/s? Kilometers per hour (km/h) measures speed over kilometers in one hour, while meters per second (m/s) measures speed in meters per one second. m/s is commonly used in scientific contexts for precision.