Convert 0.0982 hg to its equivalent in cg.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
Correct Answer:
0.0982 hectograms (hg) = 982 centigrams (cg)
Explanation:
The metric system is based on powers of 10, which allows for easy conversion by shifting the decimal point. To convert between hectograms (hg) and centigrams (cg), it’s important to understand the relationship between metric prefixes:
- 1 hectogram (hg) = 100 grams (g)
- 1 gram (g) = 100 centigrams (cg)
Combining both relationships:
1 hectogram = 100 × 100 = 10,000 centigrams
This means:
1 hg = 10,000 cg
To convert 0.0982 hg to cg, multiply the value by 10,000: 0.0982 hg×10,000 cghg=982 cg0.0982 \, \text{hg} \times 10,000 \, \frac{\text{cg}}{\text{hg}} = 982 \, \text{cg}0.0982hg×10,000hgcg=982cg
Thus, 0.0982 hg is equal to 982 centigrams.
Understanding metric conversions involves tracking the unit being converted and recognizing how the base unit (gram in this case) relates to the desired unit. Hectograms are larger than grams, and centigrams are smaller. Therefore, converting from a larger unit to a smaller one involves multiplying to reflect the increase in the number of smaller units needed to make up the same mass.
This method reduces the chance of error because all metric units scale by factors of 10. Instead of memorizing conversion tables, one can simply count the number of steps between prefixes and apply the corresponding power of 10. In this conversion, moving from hecto- to centi- covers four steps (hecto → base → centi), which corresponds to multiplying by 10⁴, or 10,000.
Using this system ensures accurate and efficient conversions in fields such as science, pharmacy, and engineering.
