How many square inches are in 60 square feet?
To convert from square feet to square inches, we first determine the conversion factor between linear feet and linear inches. We know that \(1 \text{ foot} = 12 \text{ inches}\). When we are dealing with area, we must square this conversion factor to find how many square inches are in one square foot:
\[1 \text{ ft}^2 = (1 \text{ ft}) \times (1 \text{ ft}) = (12 \text{ in}) \times (12 \text{ in}) = 144 \text{ in}^2\]
Therefore, one square foot is equivalent to \(144\) square inches.
Now that we have the conversion factor, we can convert \(60\) square feet into square inches by multiplying the given value by the conversion factor:
\[60 \text{ ft}^2 \times 144 \text{ in}^2/\text{ft}^2 = 8,640 \text{ in}^2\]
Calculating this, we find that \(60 \times 144 = 8,640\). Thus, there are \(8,640\) square inches in \(60\) square feet. Comparing this result with the given options, we identify it as option d.
Understanding unit conversion is essential in many practical situations, such as home improvement projects. For instance, if you are planning to install new floor tiles and the packaging is labeled in square feet but your room measurements are in inches, you can easily use this method to calculate exactly how many tiles you need for your floor space. This ensures you buy the right amount of materials, preventing both waste and shortages.