how does the formula of converting km/h to m/s equals to divided by 3.6?

1 answer

To convert kilometers per hour (km/h) to meters per second (m/s), you divide the value in km/h by 3.6.

This formula is derived from the conversion factors between kilometers and meters, and hours and seconds:

1 kilometer is equal to 1000 meters (1 km = 1000 m)
1 hour is equal to 3600 seconds (1 hr = 3600 sec)

So, when dividing km/h by 3.6, you are essentially multiplying the value by (1000 m / 3600 sec) or simplifying, (5/18). This conversion factor allows you to change the units from kilometers per hour to meters per second.

Here is the math behind it:

km/h ÷ 3.6 = (km/h) × (1 m / 1000 km) × (1 hr / 3600 sec)

Simplifying, you get:

(km/h) × (1/1000) × (1/3600) = (km/h) × (5/18)

Therefore, dividing km/h by 3.6 is equivalent to multiplying by (5/18) and provides the conversion from km/h to m/s.