Question

Write a program that converts distances measured in kilometers to miles. One kilometer is approximately 0.62 miles.

Short answer

Use the formula: miles = kilometers * 0.62 to convert kilometers to miles.

Step-by-step solution

Understand the Problem

We need to write a program that takes a distance in kilometers as input and converts it into miles using the conversion factor where 1 kilometer is approximately equal to 0.62 miles.

Identify the Conversion Factor

To convert kilometers to miles, use the conversion factor: \[1 \text{ kilometer} = 0.62 \text{ miles}\] This means that to find the equivalent distance in miles, we multiply the number of kilometers by 0.62.

Set Up the Formula

Using the conversion factor, the formula to convert kilometers to miles is: \[\text{miles} = \text{kilometers} \times 0.62\] We'll use this formula to implement the conversion logic in the program.

Write the Program

We will write a simple program in Python that: 1. Prompts the user to input a distance in kilometers. 2. Uses the formula from Step 3 to calculate the equivalent distance in miles. 3. Displays the result to the user. Here is an example of how the program could look: ```python # Ask the user to input distance in kilometers kilometers = float(input("Enter distance in kilometers: ")) # Convert kilometers to miles using the conversion factor miles = kilometers * 0.62 # Output the result print(f"{kilometers} kilometers is equal to {miles} miles") ```

Test the Program

Test the program with different inputs to ensure it works correctly. For example: - Input: 10 kilometers ➜ Output: 6.2 miles - Input: 5 kilometers ➜ Output: 3.1 miles Check if the outputs are accurate based on the conversion factor applied during the calculation.

Key concepts

Kilometer to Miles Conversion

Converting kilometers to miles is a common task, especially when dealing with travel or geographical data. The formula to carry out this conversion is straightforward. The core idea is that one kilometer is approximately equivalent to 0.62 miles. Hence, to convert a distance from kilometers to miles, we use the simple multiplication formula:\[\text{miles} = \text{kilometers} \times 0.62\]This formula multiplies the given number of kilometers by the conversion factor of 0.62 to yield the distance in miles. This basic conversion is useful in various applications ranging from navigation to fitness tracking. For example, if you have run 8 kilometers, multiplying by 0.62 gives you approximately 4.96 miles. Breaking down the conversion into such simple mathematical operations makes understanding and implementation easy.

Input and Output Handling in Python

Handling input and output is a fundamental aspect of Python programming, especially for interactive programs. To gather information from a user, such as a distance in kilometers, Python provides the `input()` function.

• Input: The `input()` function reads a line from the user input (usually from the keyboard) and returns it as a string. When interacting with numeric data, it often needs conversion to the appropriate type, such as integer or float.
• Output: Once the program has performed its calculations, it uses the `print()` function to display the results. The `print()` function can handle both text and variables, allowing you to create formatted outputs.

For example, you would use `float(input())` when you expect a user to enter a floating-point number. In the conversion program, you might see a line like: ```python kilometers = float(input("Enter distance in kilometers: ")) ``` This line combines input collection and type conversion, ensuring any numeric calculations that follow will execute correctly. Displaying the results might look like: ```python print(f"{kilometers} kilometers is equal to {miles} miles") ``` Using formatted strings (formatted with `f"..."`) simplifies combining text with variable output, making the code cleaner and easier to read.

Python Arithmetic Operators

Arithmetic operators in Python are symbols that handle basic mathematical operations required for calculations. In the kilometer to miles conversion task, we used the multiplication operator (`*`) to apply the conversion factor.

• Addition (+): Adds two numbers. Example: `3 + 5` results in `8`.
• Subtraction (-): Subtracts one number from another. Example: `5 - 2` results in `3`.
• Multiplication (*): Multiplies two numbers, crucial for our current task. Example: `3 * 2` results in `6`.
• Division (/): Divides one number by another, giving a float. Example: `6 / 3` results in `2.0`.
• Floor Division (//): Divides and returns the nearest whole number below the result. Example: `7 // 2` results in `3`.
• Modulus (%): Returns the remainder of division. Example: `10 % 3` results in `1`.
• Exponentiation (**): Raises one number to the power of another. Example: `2 ** 3` results in `8`.

Understanding these operators is essential for performing a wide range of calculations efficiently. In our specific use case of kilometer to miles conversion, the focus is on correctly utilizing the multiplication operator for accurate conversion based on the set factor.