Question

25 POINTS

Examine the following solution to a conversion problem. Do you see a mistake? If so, identify the location of the first mistake and explain why it is incorrect.


Original Problem: Convert 3.25 kg to mg

(1) 3.25 kg
(2) 1 kg = 1000 g
(3) 1000 mg = 1g
= (4) 3.25 mg


A) The conversion is not possible.

B) The first problem occurs in column (1). The problem should begin with mg.

C) The first problem occurs in column (2). 1 kg is not equal to 1000 g, so that should not be used as the conversion factor.

D) The first problem occurs in column (2). The conversion factor is upside down (grams should be on top, and kg should be on bottom).

E) The first problem occurs in column (4). The multiplication and division was performed incorrectly.

F) No mistakes.


Thanks a bunch!

Answer 1

`\boxed{\sf Option \ E}`

Explanation:

1 kg = 1000 g

1000 mg = 1g

3.25 kilograms is to be multiplied by 1000 to get the value in grams. Then the result should be multiplied again by 1000 to get the value in milligrams.

3.25 kg ⇒ 3250 g ⇒ 3250000 mg

The first problem occurs in column (4). The multiplication and division was performed incorrectly.

Answer 2

`\boxed{\sf Option \ E}`

Explanation:

(1) 3.25 kg

(2) 1 kg = 1000 g

(3) 1000 mg = 1g

= (4) 3.25 mg

The first problem occurred in column (4) where we actually had to multiply it by 1000 but we divided it by 1000 and so our conversion was incorrect.

The correct form of it is:

1) 3.25 kg

2) 1 kg = 1000 g ; 3.25 kg = 3250 g

3) 1 g = 1000 mg ; 3250 * 1000 = 3,250,000 mg

4) Answer = 3,250,000 mg