Converting Measurements for Paint: A Unit Conversion Challenge

[warnexus]

Homework Statement

Homework Equations

1 Liter is 1000cm^3
1 foot is .3048m
centi is 10^-2

The Attempt at a Solution

convert ft to m
400ft * .3048m/1ft = 121.92m
convert m to cm
121.92m is 12192 cm
12192 cm is 12.192 Liter
1 gal = 3.78541 L

I look at the appendix but there is no equation for f^2 or m^2/L. Need help. =]

 

[Nytik]

You have units of ft^2/gallon and you need to convert to m^2/L.

You have already done the ft to m conversion, now you need to do gallons to litres.

 

[warnexus]

You have units of ft^2/gallon and you need to convert to m^2/L.

You have already done the ft to m conversion, now you need to do gallons to litres.

There's got to be a way in a physics problem. Here's a picture of the problem. =]

 

[Nytik]

Sorry, I think I ninja-edited while you were quoting (perhaps). Read it now and it should be fine.

 

[warnexus]

Sorry, I think I ninja-edited while you were quoting (perhaps). Read it now and it should be fine.

400ft^2/1 gal * .3048m/1ft = 121.92m^2/1 gal

121.92m^2/gal * 1 gal/3.78541 Liter = 121.92m^2/3.78541 Liter. Now divide 121.92/3.78541 Liter to turn it into 1 liters and you get 32.2 m^2/ 1 Liter.

 

[Nytik]

Not quite, remember it's ft^2 and m^2 so you have to do that conversion twice.

 

[warnexus]

oh boy. let's see. i think I found the problem. here's the fixed conversion!

400ft^2/ 1 gal * .3048m/1ft = 400 ft/1gal * .3048 m * .3048m/1ft * 1 gal/3.7854L = (400)(.3048m)(.3048m)/(3.7854L) = 37.161216m^2/3.78541 L. To make it one liter it would be 9.8169 m^2/1 L

 

[Nytik]

Looks good to me. If that isn't working then double-check where you got the gallon-litre conversion; I know that a US gallon is different to a UK gallon and I don't know which countries use MasteringPhysics either!

 

[warnexus]

whew that was a lot of work! i forgot to round but its 9.82m^2/1 Liter. I got the gallon to liter conversion from google so it could be U.S and i got it correct. Thanks for the guidance! This problem sure stressed me out! =]