Consider the formula that relates distance velocity, and time $(d=vt)$ If you are interested in the

time it takes for a ladybug traveling at a speed of 3 inches per second to crawl up a 10-foot
section of wall, which unit conversion makes the most sense to use? (1 point)
Converting feet to inches by multiplying 10 feet by $\frac {12inches}{1foot}$
Converting feet to inches by multiplying 10 feet by 12.
Converting feet to inches by dividing 10 feet by $\frac {12inches}{1foot}$
Converting feet to inches by multiplying 11 feet by $\frac {1foot}{12inches}$

1 answer

To solve the problem, we need to convert the distance the ladybug crawls from feet to inches, as her speed is given in inches per second.

We know there are 12 inches in a foot, so to convert 10 feet to inches, we should multiply by the conversion factor of \(\frac{12 \text{ inches}}{1 \text{ foot}}\):

\[ 10 \text{ feet} \times \frac{12 \text{ inches}}{1 \text{ foot}} = 120 \text{ inches} \]

Let's evaluate each option:

  1. Converting feet to inches by multiplying 10 feet by \(\frac{12 \text{ inches}}{1 \text{ foot}}\): This option is correct because it uses the proper conversion factor to convert feet to inches.

  2. Converting feet to inches by multiplying 10 feet by 12: This option is effectively doing the same as the first option (since multiplying by 12 is equivalent to multiplying by \(\frac{12}{1}\)), therefore it would also give the correct result. However, it lacks the clarity of the conversion factor format.

  3. Converting feet to inches by dividing 10 feet by \(\frac{12 \text{ inches}}{1 \text{ foot}}\): Dividing by this factor is not correct for conversion, as we need to multiply to get inches from feet.

  4. Converting feet to inches by multiplying 11 feet by \(\frac{1 \text{ foot}}{12 \text{ inches}}\): This is incorrect for the problem, as it incorrectly indicates an inversion of the standard conversion.

The best option is the first one: Converting feet to inches by multiplying 10 feet by \(\frac{12 \text{ inches}}{1 \text{ foot}}\).