Explain how you can move the decimal point to convert 3,200 meters to kilometers
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
To convert 3,200 meters (m) to kilometers (km), you need to move the decimal point. This conversion is based on the fact that 1 kilometer is equal to 1,000 meters.
Here’s the step-by-step explanation:
- Understand the Conversion Factor:
1 kilometer = 1,000 meters.
Therefore, to convert meters to kilometers, you divide by 1,000. - Moving the Decimal Point:
The number 3,200 can be written as 3,200.0 to show where the decimal point is. To divide by 1,000, you move the decimal point three places to the left.
When you move the decimal point to the left by three places, the number becomes 3.200. - Step-by-Step Movement:
- Start with 3,200.0.
- Move the decimal one place to the left to get 320.0.
- Move the decimal two places to the left to get 32.00.
- Move the decimal three places to the left to get 3.200.
- Final Result:
After moving the decimal point, 3,200 meters is equivalent to 3.200 kilometers.
Thus, 3,200 meters = 3.200 kilometers.
Why This Works:
The reason this method is correct is because you’re converting from a smaller unit (meters) to a larger unit (kilometers). Dividing by 1,000 shifts the decimal point to reflect the fact that there are 1,000 meters in each kilometer. This is consistent with the general rule for converting between metric units: for every three places you move the decimal, you shift between orders of magnitude like millimeters, centimeters, meters, kilometers, etc.
By moving the decimal point, you are essentially dividing the number by 1,000, which is a simple and efficient way to convert between these two metric units.
