My `diameter' (height), mass (weight), and age are:
| DY = (6 ft) × (0.3048 meters/ft) = (6 × 0.3048) meters = 1.83 meters |
| MY = (165 lb) × (0.454 kg/lb) = (165 × 0.454) kg = 75 kg |
| AY = 43 years |
Dividing the Sun's diameter, mass, and age by my diameter, mass, and age, I obtain:
| DS ÷ DY = (1.4 × 109 meters) ÷ (1.82 meters) = 7.7 × 108 |
| MS ÷ MY = (2 × 1030 kg) ÷ (75 kg) = 2.7 × 1028 |
| AS ÷ AY = (4.5 × 109 years) ÷ (43 years) = 1.05 × 108 |
Note that the units cancel out, so the final numbers have no units attached. These quantities are `pure' numbers, independent of the system of units. I would have got the same final numbers with any choice of units, as long as I use the same units for myself and the Sun.
1. In which way am I least like the Sun?
2. In which way are you most like the Sun?
3. Are you surprised by your answers to the two questions above? Why or why not?