Have you ever wondered how fast 70 km per hour is in miles per hour? If you’re living in a country that uses the metric system, then you might find yourself converting measurements regularly when communicating with people from other parts of the world. Understanding how to convert km per hour to miles per hour (mph) is a useful skill to have if you’re planning to travel abroad, watch international sports events or read news from different countries. In this article, we will show you how to convert 70 km per hour to mph and answer some of the most common questions regarding this topic.
What is the formula for converting km/h to mph?
To convert km per hour to miles per hour, you can use the following formula:
mph = km/h × 0.621371192
This formula works by multiplying the speed in kilometers per hour by a conversion factor of 0.621371192, which represents the number of miles in one kilometer. The resulting number is the speed in miles per hour.
How fast is 70 km/h in mph?
To convert 70 km per hour to miles per hour using the formula above, we can simply substitute 70 for km/h:
- 70 km/h × 0.621371192 = 43.496 mph
So, 70 km per hour is equal to 43.496 miles per hour.
Why do different countries use different units of measurement for speed?
The metric system, which uses kilometers per hour, is the most widely used system of measurement in the world, with over 95% of the world’s population living in countries that officially use the metric system. The United States, however, continues to use the imperial system of units, which includes miles per hour.
Despite the widespread use of the metric system, some countries may continue to use imperial units for historical or cultural reasons, or due to a lack of resources to implement a switch to the metric system.
Why is it important to know how to convert km/h to mph?
Being able to convert units of measurement is an essential skill, especially if you’re planning to travel or communicate with people from different parts of the world. Knowing how to convert km per hour to miles per hour can help you determine the appropriate speed limits when driving, understand the pace of a race or marathon, and interpret news articles and weather forecasts in other countries.
What are some other common conversions for speed?
Here are some other common conversions for speed:
Speed in km per hour | Speed in miles per hour |
---|---|
40 km/h | 24.8548 mph |
50 km/h | 31.0686 mph |
60 km/h | 37.2823 mph |
80 km/h | 49.7097 mph |
90 km/h | 55.9234 mph |
Can you estimate mph from km/h?
If you don’t have access to a calculator or formula, you can make a rough estimate of the speed in miles per hour using the following rule of thumb:
- For speeds up to 60 km per hour, multiply by 0.6 to get the approximate speed in miles per hour.
- For speeds above 60 km per hour, multiply by 0.62 to get the approximate speed in miles per hour.
For example, to estimate the speed of a car traveling at 70 km per hour in miles per hour, you can round up to the nearest multiple of 10 (in this case, 70 rounds up to 80), and then multiply by 0.6:
- 80 × 0.6 = 48
So, the estimated speed in miles per hour is 48 mph.
How do I convert mph to km/h?
If you need to convert miles per hour to kilometers per hour, you can use the following formula:
km/h = mph ÷ 0.621371192
Simply divide the speed in miles per hour by the conversion factor of 0.621371192 to get the speed in kilometers per hour.
Conclusion
Converting speed units between km per hour and miles per hour is a useful skill to have, whether for personal or professional purposes. By using a simple formula or rule of thumb, you can easily convert speeds and understand how fast different vehicles, athletes or objects are moving. Remember to always pay attention to posted speed limits and take appropriate safety measures when driving or participating in sports events.
Common Questions and Answers
- What is the conversion factor for km per hour to miles per hour?
- The conversion factor is 0.621371192.
- Why does the United States use miles per hour instead of kilometers per hour?
- The United States uses the imperial system of units, which includes miles per hour, due to historical and cultural reasons.
- What is the approximate speed in miles per hour of a car traveling at 120 km per hour?
- 120 × 0.62 = 74.56 mph (estimated using the rule of thumb)
- What is the speed limit in miles per hour on a road with a speed limit of 100 km per hour in Canada?
- The speed limit would be approximately 62 mph.
References:
- Canada.ca: Speed Limits
- National Institute of Standards and Technology: NIST Guide to the SI: Appendix B9 Factors for Units Listed Alphabetically by Kind of Quantity or Field of Application
- Wikipedia: Metric System