Final answer:
Converting between U.S. customary units and SI units is necessary for various applications, and involves using conversion factors. SI units are used globally and by the scientific community, while the U.S. primarily uses customary units. Understanding and being able to convert between these unit systems is essential in numerous fields.
Step-by-step explanation:
Converting U.S. customary units to or from SI units is often necessary for various practical situations, such as using an international cookbook or understanding travel distances in different measurement standards. To convert customary units of measure like length, mass, and capacity, one must use a conversion factor, which involves multiplication or division to change one type of unit to another. For instance, in converting a length measurement from kilometers (an SI unit) to miles (a customary unit), a specific conversion factor applies. Similarly, when converting from cups (U.S. customary) to liters (SI), one must use the respective conversion factor for these units of volume.
Two commonly used systems of units worldwide are the metric system (SI units) and the English system (customary or imperial units). SI units, used globally and by the scientific community, are based on the meter, kilogram, and second, and are multiples of 10, which simplifies calculations and conversions. Conversely, the United States primarily utilizes customary units, which are not as uniformly scaled and include units such as inches, feet, pounds, and gallons.
Understanding these systems and being able to convert between them is essential for many real-world applications, including science, engineering, travel, and cooking.