Conversion: 1 km – 1,000m 1 m – 1,000mm Convert the following: 1. 96 km – _ m 2. 45.5 m – cm 3. 8,000 mm – m 4. 470 cm – m 5. 99.35 cm – _ mm 1 m – 100 cm 1 cm – 10mm
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
Correct Answers
- 96 km – 96,000 m
- 45.5 m – 4,550 cm
- 8,000 mm – 8 m
- 470 cm – 4.7 m
- 99.35 cm – 993.5 mm
Explanation
Converting units within the metric system is a straightforward process based on powers of ten. The key is to understand the relationship between the units and to determine whether multiplication or division is the appropriate operation. A fundamental rule guides these calculations: when converting from a larger unit to a smaller unit, one must multiply. Conversely, when converting from a smaller unit to a larger unit, one must divide.
Let’s examine each problem based on this principle.
- 96 km to m: A kilometer (km) is a larger unit than a meter (m). The conversion factor is 1 km = 1,000 m. To convert from the larger unit (km) to the smaller one (m), the given value is multiplied by 1,000.
- 96 × 1,000 = 96,000 m.
- 45.5 m to cm: A meter (m) is a larger unit than a centimeter (cm), with a conversion factor of 1 m = 100 cm. Following the rule, the conversion from meters to centimeters requires multiplication by 100.
- 45.5 × 100 = 4,550 cm.
- 8,000 mm to m: A millimeter (mm) is a smaller unit than a meter (m). The established relationship is 1 m = 1,000 mm. To convert from the smaller unit (mm) to the larger one (m), the given value is divided by 1,000.
- 8,000 ÷ 1,000 = 8 m.
- 470 cm to m: A centimeter (cm) is a smaller unit than a meter (m). The conversion factor is 1 m = 100 cm. Therefore, to convert from centimeters to meters, the value must be divided by 100.
- 470 ÷ 100 = 4.7 m.
- 99.35 cm to mm: A centimeter (cm) is a larger unit than a millimeter (mm), with 1 cm being equal to 10 mm. For this conversion from a larger to a smaller unit, multiplication by 10 is necessary.
- 99.35 × 10 = 993.5 mm.
