Question

One of the events at a swim meet is the 500 meter freestyle. Use conversion factors and dimensional analysis to determine the length of this race in: 2) a) feet. b) miles.

Answer 1

1) Distance in feet equals 1640.4 feet

2) Distance in miles equals 0.3107 miles.

Explanation:

From the basic conversion factors we know that

1 meter = 3.2808 feet

Thus by proportion we conclude that

`500meters=500* 3.2808feet\\\\\therefore 500meters=1640.4feet`

Similarly using the basic conversion factors we know that

1 mile = 1609.34 meters

thus we conclude that 1 meter =
`(1)/(1609.34)` miles

Hence by proportion 500 meters =
`500* (1)/(1609.34)=0.3107` miles