Convert 987 km to nm

Converting kilometers (km) to nautical miles (nm) is a useful skill for navigation, maritime activities, and aviation. In this post, we will break down the definitions of both units and guide you through the conversion process of 987 km to nm.

km Definition

Kilometer (km) is a metric unit of length equal to 1,000 meters. It is commonly used to measure distances in various contexts, such as travel, geography, and road systems. One kilometer is approximately 0.621371 miles.

nm Definition

Nautical mile (nm) is a unit of measurement used in maritime and air navigation, defined as one minute of latitude. It is equivalent to approximately 1,852 meters or about 1.15078 miles. Nautical miles are widely used because they relate directly to the Earth is geometry.

How to Convert 987 km to nm

To convert kilometers to nautical miles, you can use the following formula:

[ text{nautical miles} = text{kilometers} times 0.539957 ]

Now, applying this formula to convert 987 km to nm:

[ 987 , text{km} times 0.539957 approx 532.045 , text{nm} ]

Therefore, 987 kilometers is approximately 532.045 nautical miles.

FAQs

What is the difference between kilometers and nautical miles?

Kilometers are a metric unit used for general distance measurement, while nautical miles are specifically used in navigation to account for the curvature of the Earth.

Why is nautical mile preferred in maritime navigation?

Nautical miles are preferred in maritime navigation because they relate directly to the Earth is latitude and longitude, making it easier to calculate distances over the water.

Can I convert nautical miles back to kilometers?

Yes, you can convert nautical miles back to kilometers using the formula: [ text{kilometers} = text{nautical miles} times 1.852 ].