Question

if 2.54 centimeters = 1 inch, what would be the length of a ribbon that is 52 centimeters long in inches? ( round to the nearest tenths)

Answer 1

You divide the total centimeters for the 2.54 centimeters so it will be 52\2.54 and you will get the answer then round the number to the nearest tenth

Answer 2

Nice question. A way to solve this is by using ratios.

Well, we know that 2.54 cm = 1 in

We want to find out how many inches are in 52 centimeters. Here's how we start...

We take our known similar information and make that a ratio. We want partial over whole always!

So... 2.54 cm ÷ 52 cm

For the inches... 1 inches ÷ x inches
The reason we use the "x" is because it is a variable (we don't know what that value is yet).

Mentioned before, we know 2.54 cm = 1 in.
So, we can assume the following...

2.54/52 = 1/x

All I did there was state, if 2.54 = 1 then 52 = x.

Now, we can solve for "x" by cross multiplying.

2.54 * x = 52 * 1

2.54 * x = 52

Solve for "x" by dividing

x = 52/2.54

x = 20.47 inches

If you have any questions then please leave a comment.