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42 Part I: Technical Mathematics
Table 5.4 Converting measures of weight.
From To Multiply by Divide by
Part I.E
Pounds Ounces 16
Ounces Pounds 16
Tons Pounds 2000
Pounds Tons 2000
Long tons Pounds 2240
Pounds Long tons 2240
To convert units of liquid measure within the English system, use the relationships
given in Table 5.5. For example, to convert cups into tablespoons, the table
shows that we multiply the number of cups by a factor of 16. Thus, for instance, to
convert two cups into tablespoons:
2 cups = 2 × 16 = 32 tablespoons
Similarly, to convert tablespoons into cups we use the reverse operation; that is, we
divide the tablespoons by a factor of 16. Thus,
32 tablespoons = 32 ÷ 16 = 2 cups.
To convert pressure units within the English system, use the relationships given in
Table 5.6. For example, to convert pounds per square foot into pounds per square
inch (psi), the table shows that we multiply the number of pounds per square foot
by a factor of 144. Thus, for instance, to convert two pounds per square foot into
pounds per square inch:
2 pounds per square foot = 2 × 144 = 288 pounds per square inch
Similarly, to convert pounds per square inch into pounds per square foot we use
the reverse operation; that is, we divide the pounds per square inch by a factor of
144. Thus,
288 pounds per square inch = 288 ÷ 144 = 2 pounds per square foot.
SI/METRIC SYSTEM MEASUREMENTS
To convert length units within the Metric or SI system, use the relationships given
in Table 5.7. For example, to convert centimeters into millimeters, the table shows
that we multiply the number of centimeters by a factor of 10. Thus, for instance, to
convert two centimeters into millimeters:
2 centimeters = 2 × 10 = 20 millimeters
Similarly, to convert millimeters into centimeters we use the reverse operation;
that is, we divide the millimeters by a factor of 10. Thus,
20 millimeters = 20 ÷ 10 = 2 centimeters.