To convert 18 hours into seconds correctly, we need to follow a sequence of conversion steps. Each step involves multiplying or dividing by the appropriate conversion factor to change the units from hours to seconds.
Starting with:
1. We know that 1 hour is equal to 60 minutes.
2. We also know that 1 minute is equal to 60 seconds.
Given this information, let's outline the correct steps for the conversion:
1. First, convert hours into minutes:
[tex]\[
18 \text{ hours} \times \frac{60 \text{ minutes}}{1 \text{ hour}} = 18 \times 60 \text{ minutes} = 1080 \text{ minutes}
\][/tex]
2. Next, convert minutes into seconds:
[tex]\[
1080 \text{ minutes} \times \frac{60 \text{ seconds}}{1 \text{ minute}} = 1080 \times 60 \text{ seconds} = 64800 \text{ seconds}
\][/tex]
The student ended up with 1080 seconds instead of 64800 seconds. This means the student missed an important conversion step when trying to carry out the process.
From the given information, it is clear that the student only considered the conversion factor for minutes to seconds ([tex]\(\frac{60 \text{ seconds}}{1 \text{ minute}}\)[/tex]) and skipped the conversion factor for hours to minutes ([tex]\(\frac{60 \text{ minutes}}{1 \text{ hour}}\)[/tex]).
Breaking down the provided incorrect conversion:
[tex]\[
18 \text{ hours} \times \frac{60 \text{ seconds}}{1 \text{ minute}} = 1080 \text{ seconds}
\][/tex]
This tells us the student directly attempted to convert hours to seconds by multiplying with [tex]\(60 \text{ seconds per minute}\)[/tex], and disregarding the conversion from hours to minutes first. They should have used the conversion factor for hours to minutes first.
Thus, the conversion ratio that the student skipped was:
[tex]\[
\frac{60 \text{ minutes}}{1 \text{ hour}}
\][/tex]
Accordingly, the correct answer is:
[tex]\[
\boxed{B}
\][/tex]
