How do I convert square inches to square feet?
Understand the Problem
The question is asking for the method to convert an area measurement from square inches to square feet. To do this, we need to understand the relationship between inches and feet, specifically knowing that there are 144 square inches in one square foot. Thus, the conversion can be done by dividing the number of square inches by 144.
Answer
Divide the number of square inches by 144.
Answer for screen readers
To convert square inches to square feet, divide the number of square inches by 144.
Steps to Solve
- Understand the conversion factor
There are 144 square inches in one square foot, which comes from the fact that there are 12 inches in a foot and thus $12^2 = 144$ square inches in a square foot.
- Set up the conversion
To convert a measurement from square inches ($A_{in^2}$) to square feet ($A_{ft^2}$), divide the number of square inches by 144:
$$ A_{ft^2} = \frac{A_{in^2}}{144} $$
- Perform the calculation
Divide the given area in square inches by 144 to get the area in square feet. If you have, for example, 288 square inches:
$$ A_{ft^2} = \frac{288}{144} = 2 \text{ square feet} $$
To convert square inches to square feet, divide the number of square inches by 144.
More Information
Converting between square units is important in various fields, such as real estate and construction, to better understand and visualize area measurements.
Tips
A common mistake is to forget that the conversion is from square units, not linear units. When converting square measurements, you must divide by 144 (not 12).
