Final answer:
To convert 12 kilograms to pounds, multiply by the conversion factor of 2.205 to get approximately 26.46 pounds, accounting for significant figures.
Step-by-step explanation:
To convert 12 kilograms to pounds, we use the conversion factor that 1 kilogram is equivalent to 2.205 pounds. Therefore, we simply multiply the number of kilograms by this conversion factor to get the weight in pounds. The calculation is as follows:
12 kg × 2.205 lb/kg = 26.46 lb
However, when dealing with significant figures, it's important to note the precision of the given values. Since 2.205 has 4 significant figures, and 12 kg is an exact value, the answer should reflect the precision of the least precise measurement when inexact numbers are involved. In this case, we maintain the 4 significant figures, so the converted weight is approximately 26.46 pounds.