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A kilogram (kg) is the standard unit of mass in the International System of Units (SI), while the pound (lb) is a unit of mass commonly used in the imperial system, especially in the United States and the United Kingdom. Converting between kilograms and pounds is important in both scientific calculations and everyday measurements, such as weighing people, food, or other objects.
The exact conversion is defined as:
1 kilogram = 2.20462 pounds.
For simplicity, this value is often rounded to 2.20 pounds, which is accurate enough for general use in exams, daily calculations, and science education.
This conversion is based on standardized definitions. The kilogram is defined using the Planck constant, making it a stable and universal measure of mass. The pound, on the other hand, is defined in terms of the kilogram:
1 pound = 0.45359237 kilograms (exact).
From this, we can calculate:
1 kilogram ÷ 0.45359237 = 2.20462 pounds.
Understanding this relationship is important because different countries use different systems of measurement. For example:
In most of the world, including Pakistan and Europe, the metric system (kg, gram, liter) is standard.
In the United States, the imperial system (pound, ounce, gallon) is commonly used.
In physics and engineering, converting between these systems ensures accuracy in calculations, especially in international projects, trade, medicine, and sports. For example, athletes’ weights are often listed in both kilograms and pounds, and food packaging may show both units.
Therefore, the correct answer is 2.20 pounds (Option A), which represents the rounded but widely accepted conversion of 1 kilogram into pounds.
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