Gigabits per hour to bits per second conversion

How to convert gigabits per hour to bits per second?

Sure, let's start with the conversions.

Base 10 Conversion (Decimal)

In base 10 (the decimal system), we use powers of 10.

1 gigabit = $10^9$ bits

There are 3600 seconds in an hour.

So, to convert 1 gigabit per hour to bits per second in base 10: $1 \text{ gigabit/hour} = 10^9 \text{ bits/hour}$

Now, divide by the number of seconds in an hour: $10^9 \text{ bits/hour} ÷ 3600 \text{ seconds/hour} \approx 277,777.778 \text{ bits/second}$

Base 2 Conversion (Binary)

In base 2 (the binary system), we use powers of 2.

1 gibibit (Gi) = $2^{30}$ bits

Since 1 gibibit per hour is different from 1 gigabit per hour, let's clarify: 1 gibibit (Gi) per hour = $2^{30}$ bits/hour

Using the same number of seconds in an hour (3600 seconds): $2^{30} \text{ bits/hour} ÷ 3600 \text{ seconds/hour} \approx 298,261.62 \text{ bits/second}$

Real World Examples

1. Home Internet Connection:

   • If you have an internet connection speed of 1 gigabit per second (Gbps, base 10), in one hour you would be able to transfer: $1 \text{ Gbps} × 3600 \text{ seconds} = 3600 \text{ gigabits per hour}$

2. Streaming Services:

   • Streaming high-definition video could use around 5 megabits per second (Mbps, base 10). To find out how much data is consumed in an hour: $5 \text{ Mbps} × 3600 \text{ seconds} = 18,000 \text{ megabits per hour}$ $= 18 \text{ gigabits per hour}$

3. Data Transfer for Cloud Backups:

   • Assume you are transferring files to cloud storage at a rate of 10 gigabits per hour (base 10): $10 \text{ gigabits per hour} ÷ 3600 \text{ seconds/hour} \approx 2.78 \text{ Mbps}$

These illustrations help put the conversions into practical context.