Unit Converter - Worksheet to Create Primary Conversions

Unit Converter

Manual

Primary Conversions

Explanation of Primary Unit Worksheet Terms:

This worksheet allows you to create a new measurement class and input the two Primary Measurement units and conversion factors. If you want to add new measurement units to an existing measurement class, you should use the Secondary Conversion Worksheet.

Once you’ve entered in the name of your new measurement class, you input the names of your two Primary Measurement units and the conversion factor (with Multiplicative and/or Additive components) to convert one to the other. As you enter this information, the Inverse conversion factor information will be automatically filled in. If you have some kind of unusual situation in which the inverse relationship is not correct, you have the opportunity to change it. Unit Converter only allows multiplicative and additive functions in the conversion equations, which covers most conversion situations. This current version offers no options for including trigonometric, logarithmic or exponential functions, although some have been hard-coded in the software in order to convert between % Slope and Degrees of Slope, and conversions between the areas of a circle and the diameter or circumference of that circle.

This process can be confusing, so pay careful attention to the Conversion Equation and Inverse Equation as you enter your conversion data to make sure they are doing what you want. Also make sure to test your conversion with values you know are accurate. If the “Test Conversion” button gives you what you expect, then you can be confident that your conversion information is accurate.

Once the conversion factors are working, you may elect to enter additional information on your measurement units such as the name for a single unit of that measurement unit (such as Foot instead of Feet). Unit Converter occasionally makes use of this Singular name such as in the one-to-one conversions. If you don’t enter a value for the singular name, Unit Converter will just use the plural of the name. You can also enter a definition of your unit which will appear in the definition boxes.

The Primary Conversion worksheet is shown below. Click on any part of it to see an explanation of that function:

	Name of New Measurement Class: Here is where you type in the name of your new measurement class. If you enter a name of an existing class, Unit Converter will notify you and ask you to change it before you add it to the database.
	Input Primary Measurement Unit: Here is where you enter the name of your first (Input) Primary Measurement unit. As you type the name, you will also see it appear in the Conversion Equation, the Inverse Equation and the Input Unit Name – Singular text box. If you enter a name of an existing measurement unit, Unit Converter will notify you and ask you to change the name before you add it to the database. The name of this unit should be the plural of the unit (i.e. Feet instead of Foot). The singular name can be entered near the bottom of the worksheet.
	Multiplicative Conversion Factor: This is the multiplicative conversion factor to convert from your Input primary measurement unit to your Output primary measurement unit. Pay close attention to the Conversion Equation to make sure the multiplication factor is doing what you want it to do.
	Additive Conversion Factor: Occasionally you will have to include an Additive conversion to make the conversion work. When this is necessary, make sure to use Output units for the addition. For example, when converting from Degrees Celsius to Degrees Fahrenheit, the conversion is to multiply your Degrees Celsius by 1.8, then add 32. (Ten degrees Celsius) x (1.8) + (32) = 50 degrees Fahrenheit. The “32” here is in Fahrenheit units. In most cases the Addition value will be zero, but it is occasionally needed.
	Output Primary Measurement Unit: Here is where you enter the name of your second (Output) Primary Measurement unit. As you type the name, you will see it appear in the Conversion Equation, the Inverse Equation and the Output Unit Name – Singular text box. If you enter a name of an existing measurement unit, Unit Converter will notify you and ask you to change the name before you add it to the database. The name of this unit should be the plural of the unit (i.e. Meters instead of Meter). The singular name can be entered near the bottom of the worksheet.
	Conversion Equation: As you type in your conversion information, this Conversion Equation will automatically fill in and describe what your conversion factor will do. Pay close attention to this equation because it helps clarify how Unit Converter will calculate the conversion. The equation tells you how many Output Units you will get from a single Input Unit.
	Inverse Relationship: Select “Yes” here if the conversion factor from your Output Unit à Input Unit is simply the inverse of the conversion factor for your Input Unit à Output Unit. If this is the case, then the inverse conversion factor is calculated automatically as you enter your conversion information. Unit Converter has “Yes” set by default because in almost all cases the inverse relationship is simply the inverse conversion factor. If you have an unusual circumstance in which you need to enter a different conversion factor for the inverse equation, select “No” here and you will be able to enter new numbers.
	Inverse Conversion Equation: As with the Conversion Equation, this Inverse Conversion Equation will automatically fill in as you type in your conversion information. Pay close attention to this equation because it helps clarify how Unit Converter will calculate the conversion from your Output Unit à Input Unit. The equation tells you how many Input Units you will get from a single Output Unit. If you need to change this equation, go to the question “Does the Inverse relationship apply?” and select “No”. This will allow you to enter new numbers into the equation.
	Second Primary Measurement Unit for Inverse Equation: This value is filled in automatically as you enter the Output Unit name, and can’t be edited.
	First Primary Measurement Unit for Inverse Equation: This value is filled in automatically as you enter the Input Unit name, and can’t be edited.
	Inverse Multiplicative Conversion Factor: This value is filled in automatically as you type in your conversion factor information, and is calculated by taking the inverse of your conversion factor. If you need to change this number, go to the question “Does the Inverse relationship apply?” and select “No”. This will allow you to enter a new value here.
	Inverse Additive Conversion Factor: This value is filled in automatically as you type in your conversion factor information, and is calculated by taking the inverse of your conversion factor. If you need to change this number, go to the question “Does the Inverse relationship apply?” and select “No”. This will allow you to enter a new value here.
	TEST CONVERSION Button: This button allows you to test your conversion with a known value before you add it to the database.
	Test Conversion – Enter Test Number: Enter in some known value here to test your conversion factor before you add it to the database.
	Test Conversion Results: After you enter in a known value and hit the “Test Conversion” button, the resulting conversion will appear here.
	REVERSE UNITS Button: Clicking on this button will reverse the Test Conversion units so you can test the conversion going from your Output Unit à Input Unit. It’s a good idea to test the conversion factors going both ways before you add them to the database.
	Input Primary Measurement Unit – Singular: Enter the singular name of the Input Unit here (i.e. Foot instead of Feet). Unit Converter uses the singular form of the name in the one-to-one conversions. This singular form is not required – Unit Converter will use the plural form of the unit if you do not enter the singular form.
	Definition of Input Primary Measurement Unit: Optionally, you can enter a definition for your first Primary Measurement unit here. This definition will appear in the Definition boxes. This definition is not required – Unit Converter will use “No definition has been entered…” if you leave it blank. You can add or edit this definition later in the “Review User Conversions” worksheet if you want.
	Output Primary Measurement Unit – Singular: Enter the singular name of the Output Unit here (i.e. Meter instead of Meters). Unit Converter uses the singular form of the name in the one-to-one conversions. This singular form is not required – Unit Converter will use the plural form of the unit if you do not enter the singular form.
	Definition of Output Primary Measurement Unit: Optionally, you can enter a definition for your Output Primary Measurement unit here. This definition will appear in the Definition boxes. This definition is not required – Unit Converter will use “No definition has been entered…” if you leave it blank. You can add or edit this definition later in the “Review User Conversions” worksheet if you want.
	Secondary Conversion Worksheet Button: Clicking on this button will take you to the Secondary Conversion worksheet, where you can add units to existing measurement classes.
	Review User Conversions Worksheet: Clicking on this button will take you to the Review User Conversions worksheet, where you can edit or delete any user-entered measurement units.
	HELP Button: This button opens a help screen with this information so you can get help without having to open the manual.
	CLEAR Button: Deletes all information entered on this form.
	ADD TO DATABASE Button: No information will be added to the database until this button is clicked. Unit Converter will check to make sure that your unit names don’t already exist in the database and prompt you to change them if they do. If no conflicts exist, your data will be added to the database and the Primary Conversion Worksheet will be cleared.
	EXIT Button: This button closes the Primary Conversion Worksheet. If you have data in the form, Unit Converter will ask you if you want to close the worksheet without adding the data to the database.