Sometimes, there is a need to convert from one unit to another one. For instance, reading a cookbook in which quantities are expressed in units of liters or ounces may require conversion of quantities to cups. Or, when looking up directions on how to get to a location, we may be interested to know how many miles we are going to walk. In this case, we would have to convert units of feet or meters to miles.
The first step in the unit conversion is to list the given units and the units required...

Dimensional analysis, also known as the factor label method, is a versatile approach for mathematical operations. The main principle behind this approach is: the units of quantities must be subjected to the same mathematical operations as their associated numbers. This method can be applied to computations ranging from simple unit conversions to more complex and multi-step calculations involving several different quantities and their units.
Conversion Factors and Dimensional Analysis
The unit...

Dimensional analysis is a powerful tool that is used in physics and engineering to understand and predict the behavior of physical systems. The basic idea behind dimensional analysis is to express physical quantities in terms of fundamental dimensions such as the mass, length, and time. Derived dimensions like the velocity, acceleration, and force are derived from the combinations of these fundamental dimensions.
Dimensional analysis allows us to analyze and compare physical quantities on a...

The concept of dimension is important because every mathematical equation linking physical quantities must be dimensionally consistent, implying that mathematical equations must meet the following two rules. The first rule is that, in an equation, the expressions on each side of the equal sign must have the same dimensions. This is fairly intuitive since we can only add or subtract quantities of the same type (dimension). The second rule states that, in an equation, the arguments of any of the...

In engineering applications, the representation of the numerical value is critical. Presenting or reporting the answer is one of the essential parts of engineering practices. Numerical calculations are performed using handheld calculators or computers since numerically accurate answers are always preferred.
The solution to a problem is obtained using different methods. While manually solving algebraic symbols is one of the most common methods, the graphical method is often preferred. Computers...

Mechanical engineering is one of the oldest branches of engineering. It deals with designing, analyzing, and manufacturing machines and mechanical systems. To ensure precise and accurate calculations, units of measurement are used. They provide a standard system for expressing and comparing physical quantities.
There are various well-known historical measurement systems, such as the Babylonian system, the Roman system, the Egyptian system, the Olympian system, the British system, and the Indus...