Units & Basic Math

Learning Objectives: To understand basic mathematical processes and unit conversions, and deduce quantitative reasoning skills often used in meteorology. 

Part I: Time Conversions

Different parts of the world operate in different time zones, and it is important to be able to convert from one to the other. Additionally, in meteorology, we often use a universal time (UTC / Z) and we need to know how to convert that to local. 

Part II: PEMDAS

Dictates the order, from left to right, to solve an equation

P - Parenthesis, E - Exponents, M - Multiplication, D - Division, A - Addition, S - Subtraction

Part III: Dimensional Analysis 

I.e., math with units!

• Adding or subtracting: Units must be the same

• Multiplying: Units combine/cancel depending (dimensional analysis?)

• Division: Cannot divide fraction by another fraction, keep-change-flip rule

Part IV: Temperature and SI Unit Conversions

In meteorology, we need to know the scales of temperature and how to convert between then (i.e, °C to °F, °F to K, etc.). Learn more here! 

We also need to know typical SI units of variables and how to convert between them. See Examples here! 

Next page: Time Conversions