I can provide you with some insights on the matter.
In the fields of physics and engineering, it is generally considered good practice to include units in calculations, even for intermediate steps. Here are a few reasons why:
Clarity and communication: Including units in calculations helps to ensure clarity and facilitate effective communication. Units provide essential information about the nature and magnitude of quantities being manipulated. It helps others understand the context and interpret the results correctly.
Error prevention: Units act as a built-in error-checking mechanism. When units are included in calculations, it becomes easier to spot mistakes or inconsistencies, such as mismatched units or incompatible operations. This helps prevent errors that could propagate throughout the calculation process.
Consistency and traceability: Including units consistently throughout a calculation enhances traceability. If someone needs to review or reproduce the calculations at a later time, having units explicitly stated makes it easier to follow the process and ensures reproducibility.
Unit conversions: Intermediate calculations often involve unit conversions, and including units helps to keep track of the conversion factors and verify their correctness.
That being said, in certain cases where it is absolutely clear from the context what the units are, some practitioners might omit units in intermediate calculations to save space or reduce clutter. However, even in such cases, it is generally recommended to include units at least in the final result.
Ultimately, the decision to include or omit units in intermediate calculations may vary depending on the specific context, the level of precision required, and the conventions followed in a particular field or organization. However, as a general rule, it is considered good practice to include units in calculations for the reasons mentioned above.