If you do any work that involves shipping and receiving from European countries or practically any country other than the United States, it is often necessary to convert from the English system of length measurement to the metric system which is used by the vast majority of countries on the globe today. Since 1 inch is equal to 25.4 millimeters you can get the answer by multiplying 25.4 by the number of inches you need the conversion for, in this case 4.5, making the answer 114.3 millimeters.
Obviously since there are fractions involved in this and many other conversions when going from English to metric, the math can be a bit complicated and too hard to do in your head. Luckily, there are several tools you can use to help you convert any English measurement to its metric equal fast and easy. There are special calculators you can buy at a very reasonable cost that can make conversions fast and handle scientific calculations as well. If you have a job or are in school taking a math class where many conversions are needed daily this is a tool you should not be without.
If you have a computer with internet access there are a number of web sites and downloads which can do the job for free. One such example is Yahoo which has a toolbar that among other things does metric conversions. If you don't want to download any software there are web sites such as answers.com which gives answers to specific questions or a site such as sciencemadesimple.com which not only converts metric measurements, but does other conversions such as weight, volume, pressure, and power.
Whatever method you use will depend on your specific needs for the information and when you need it. If you're out in the field without a smart phone you probably need to invest in a calculator, otherwise the web sites can do a fine job for you at no charge.
Obviously since there are fractions involved in this and many other conversions when going from English to metric, the math can be a bit complicated and too hard to do in your head. Luckily, there are several tools you can use to help you convert any English measurement to its metric equal fast and easy. There are special calculators you can buy at a very reasonable cost that can make conversions fast and handle scientific calculations as well. If you have a job or are in school taking a math class where many conversions are needed daily this is a tool you should not be without.
If you have a computer with internet access there are a number of web sites and downloads which can do the job for free. One such example is Yahoo which has a toolbar that among other things does metric conversions. If you don't want to download any software there are web sites such as answers.com which gives answers to specific questions or a site such as sciencemadesimple.com which not only converts metric measurements, but does other conversions such as weight, volume, pressure, and power.
Whatever method you use will depend on your specific needs for the information and when you need it. If you're out in the field without a smart phone you probably need to invest in a calculator, otherwise the web sites can do a fine job for you at no charge.
