What is the inverse of 466ft^2/gal?

  • Thread starter Thread starter jactre
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Inverse
Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The problem involves converting a coverage measurement of paint from square feet per gallon to other units, specifically square meters per liter and an inverse quantity. The subject area includes unit conversion and dimensional analysis.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to convert the coverage measurement and questions the correctness of their calculation for the inverse. Some participants question the validity of the original poster's inverse calculation and suggest alternative interpretations of the units.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants exploring different interpretations of the inverse quantity and discussing the significance of digits in the context of the problem. There is no explicit consensus on the correct approach to the inverse calculation.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the importance of significant figures in the calculations, particularly regarding the original measurement of 466 ft²/gal.

jactre
Messages
4
Reaction score
0
The description for a certain brand of house paint claims a coverage of 466 ft2/gal. (a) Express this quantity in square meters per liter. (b) Express this quantity in an SI unit (see Appendices A and D). (c) What is the inverse of the original quantity?

I got answers for a) and b).

a) 466ft^2/gal x 1m^2/10.76ft^2 x 1 gal/231in^3 x 61.02in^3/1L = 11.44 m^2/L

b) 11.44m^2/L x 1000L/1m^3 = 11440m^-1 (L is the SI unit for volume)

c) I originally did 1/466 to get the inverse of 466ft^2/gal to get 0.002 gal/ft^2 but this is WRONG.

Any help on part C would be very much appreciated!
 
Physics news on Phys.org
I don't see how .002 gal/ft^2 is wrong. Could they mean in liters/meter^2 ?
 
phinds said:
I don't see how .002 gal/ft^2 is wrong. Could they mean in liters/meter^2 ?

I didn't understand this either. In this example, the units were given so I know gal/ft^2 is correct.

Thanks for your help!
 
It's probably considered wrong because 466 has 3 significant digits, whereas 0.002 only has one.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
3K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
1K
  • · Replies 25 ·
Replies
25
Views
2K
Replies
7
Views
3K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
3K
  • · Replies 29 ·
Replies
29
Views
2K