3

Use of Dimensions

When numbers are used to express results of measurements, the units of mea-
surement should always be given. Too frequently these units, or dimensions,
are assumed but not shown.
In using dimensions in calculations, we follow a few simple rules.
1. Every number that represents a measurement is given with its
dimension—for example, 12 men, 16 feet, 5 miles.
2. Numbers that do not involve a measurement are written without a
dimension. Examples are 7r(the ratio of the circumference of a circle to
its diameter) and logarithms.
3. In addition and subtraction, all numbers must have the same dimen-
sions. We can add 2 apples to 3 apples, but we cannot add 2 apples to 3
miles.
4. In multiplication and division, the dimensions of the numbers are mul-
tiplied and divided just as the numbers are, and the product or quotient
of the dimension appears in the final result. Thus the product (6 men)(2
days) = 12 man-days, and the product (5 £at)(4 Ibs/gat) = 20 Ibs. Note
that units common to both numerator and denominator cancel each
other, just as do factors common to both.
A term frequently used with numbers is per, which shows how many units of
one measurement correspond to one unit of another. A common method of
Jse of Dimensions 29

Calculation is to divide the total number of units of one property by the total
number of units of another property to which it corresponds. Thus, if we are
told that 4.2 gallons weigh 10.5 pounds, we express the relation by the ratio

10.5 Ib _ 2 5 _lb_
4.2 gal ' gal

which is read as "2.5 pounds per gallon." A few examples will help in under-
standing the use of units.

PROBLEM:
If apples cost 30 cents per dozen, how many can be bought for 50 cents?
SOLUTION:
Set up an equation that will eliminate "cents" and give "apples" in its place, as
follows.

(a) number of apples = 12

50 x 12 apples
- ~ = 2° apples
or (b) number of apples = (50 cents) LQ^^\ (l2

50 x 1 x 12 apples
= - — — — — = 20 apples

In (a) we divided 50 cents by 30 cents/doz, while in (b) we multiplied 50 cents by 1

doz/30 cents, the reciprocal of 30 cents/doz. These are equivalent operations and
you should feel comfortable with either method. In each case, "cents" and "doz"
cancel out, leaving only "apples," as we had hoped.

A somewhat more sophisticated method for setting up the problem is to use

the negative exponent, - 1, for units that appear in the denominator of a set of
units. Thus the term "per dozen" may be written as doz"1. The preceding
problem could have been set up in the following form:

number of apples = I — ;——) (12 apples dee"1) = 20 apples

\ 30 cents dezrv

PROBLEM:
Find the number of feet in 1.5 mi (one mile is 5280 ft).
30 Use of Dimensions

SOLUTION:
To find the number of feet, we need the product shown in the equation
ft

feet = 1 5 nrt x 5280 —

vert
= 7920 ft

Alternatively, we may use the solution

feet = 1 5 jot x 5280 ft mi'1
= 7920 ft

PROBLEM:
Find the number of gallons in 5 cu yd (also written as yd3), using the conversion
factors
231 in3 = 1 gal
3 ft = 1 yd
12 in = 1 ft
SOLUTION:
3
1 gal
gallons = 5 yd 3 x (3 -7) x (12 l-^- x —-—3
\ yd/ \ it, 231 in

* 231;**
= 1010 gal

PROBLEM:
Find a conversion factor F by which you can convert yd 3 to gallons
SOLUTION:
A conversion factor can be developed from other known factors by calculating a
value of F that will satisfy the equation
gal = (yd)3[F]
F must have such units that, when they are substituted in this equation, they will
cancel yd 3 and yield only gal as the net result, as follows

= 202
Problems A 31

Thus, if you want to convert 20 yd3 to gallons, you merely multiply 20 by 202, as
follows:

gal = (20 >d*) (202 |p\ = 4040 gal

PROBLEM:
If a runner does the 100 yd dash in 10 seconds, what is his speed in miles per hour?
SOLUTION:
The first thing you should observe is that the units of the desired answer must be
mi/hr, so the original information must be used in the ratio of length/time, or as 100
yd/10 sec. Once you have made the proper decision about how to use the units of
the original data, follow the same procedure as in finding a conversion factor F:

rm /100>d\ / 1 mi \ /60_sec\ /60 mm\ = rm

hr ~ \ lOjjse/ \1760 yd/ \ jam / \ hr / ~~ ' hr

PROBLEMS A

1. Compute the number of seconds in the month of July.

2. Develop a factor to convert days to seconds.
3. A satellite is orbiting at a speed of 18,000 miles per hour. How many seconds
does it take to travel 100 miles'1
4. A traveler on a jet plane notes that in 30 seconds the plane passes 6 section-
line roads (1 mile apart). What is the ground speed, in miles per hour?
5. A cubic foot of water weighs 62.4 Ib. What is the weight of a gallon of water
(231 cu in)?
6. For each of the following pairs of units, work out a conversion factor F that
will convert a measurement given in one unit to a measurement given in the
other, and show the simple steps used in your work.
(a) ounces to tons
(b) cubic inches to cubic yards
(c) feet per second to miles per hour
(d) tons per square yard to pounds per square inch
(e) cents per pound to dollars per ton
(f) seconds to weeks
(g) cubic feet per second to quarts per minute
(h) miles to fathoms (1 fathom = 6 ft)
(i) yards to mils (1 mil = 1/1000 in)
32 Use of Dimensions

PROBLEMS B

7. For each of the following pairs of units, follow the same procedure as that for
Problem 6.
(a) cubic feet to gallons
(b) ounces per square foot to pounds per square yards
(c) gallons per second to cubic yards per minute
(d) tons per cubic foot to pounds per cubic inch
(e) yards per second to inches per hour
(f) dollars per pound to nickels per ounce
(g) miles to mils (1 mil = 1/1000 in)
(h) knots to miles per hour (1 knot = 101.5 feet per minute)
(i) degrees of arc per second to revolutions per minute

8. An acre-foot of water will cover an acre of land with a layer of water one foot
deep. How many gallons are in an acre-foot? Use the following factors: 1 acre
= 4840 yd 2 ; and 1 gal = 231 in3.
9. Municipal water is sold at 21 cents per 100 cu ft. What is the price per
acre-foot?
10. In the Bohr model of the hydrogen atom, an electron travels in a circular orbit
about the nucleus at approximately 5 x 10(> miles per hour. How many revo-
lutions per second does the electron make if the radius of the orbit is 2 x 10"9
inches?
11. A light-year is the distance that light travels in one year at a velocity of
186,000 miles per second. How many miles is it to the galaxy in Andromeda,
which is said to be 650,000 light-years away?
12. A parsec is a unit of measure for interstellar space: it is equal to 3.26 light-
years. How many miles are in one parsec?