To convert inches into centimeters, the equation y=2.54x is used. In the equation, x represents inches. To convert a unit to a smaller unit, one must multiply by the correct conversion factor. In this case, inches are multiplied by the conversion factor of 2.54 to obtain y, centimeters.
Above is a graph of the function. It rises steeply because the y is just over twice the x. Each point on the graph represents the value that the equation would give based on what value was plugged into one of the variables. If one were to plug 12 into the inches variable, the equation would be y=2.54(12). When solved, the equation says that y=30.48 centimeters. This says that in 12 inches, or 1 foot, there are 30.48 centimeters.