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LSP 121 -- Homework 3a

Proportional Units

Show your work for each problem. Submit an Excel file if you wish.

For problems 1 to 5, indicate the units in your calculations. Show that the units multiply properly to give the correct answer.

1. Convert your mass in pounds to grams. If you don't want to reveal your weight, convert the mass of your pet instead.

2. How many seconds are there in a lifetime of 85 years using the exact definition of a year: 365 days, 6 hours, 9 minutes, 9.54 seconds. Hint: compute number of seconds in 356 days + seconds in 6 hours + seconds in 9 minutes + 9.54 seconds

3. Calculate the number of centimeters per mile using the old definition (39.34 inches = 1 meter) and the new definition (1 inch = 2.54 centimeter). What is the difference of the two values?

4. The cost of gasoline at a filling station in France is 1.350 Euro per liter. What is the cost in dollars per gallon? (Look up the current exchange rate for Dollars to Euro on the Internet.)

5. Due to continental drift, the North American continent moves at the rate of about 3 inches per year. Assuming it has been moving in a straight line at that speed for 65 million years, how many miles has it traveled since then?