From the course: Preparing for the GMAT

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Conversion problems

Conversion problems

From the course: Preparing for the GMAT

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Conversion problems

- So, for whatever reason, the GMAT has decided that it's important that you're able to convert between two different units of measurement. Like between centimeters and kilometers, for example. So questions like these often involve scientific notation. Let's have a look at an example. So, let's say we learn that the average distance between Earth and Mars in meters is 2.25 times 10 to the 8th. Great. And then which of the following is closest to the average distance between Earth and Mars in inches. So, what I like to do in this kind of situation is use the relationship given to me and then make a proportion. So, if I know that one inch is the same thing as 2.54 times 10 to the negative two meters, then I can set up a proportion. I'm being asked for the distance in inches, so on top go my inches. I'll call this x inches. And on the bottom is 2.25 times 10 to the 8th meters. Cool. So, now I have a proportion and it looks like I can just cross multiply to solve. So, if I do cross…

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