Conversion of Metric Units of Length
Concept
Measuring the lengths of objects is a part of our day to day life, we always performed these type of tasks in which we measure the length. Measuring length means to measure the length of any object with the help of measuring tools like scale. For example, the length of a crayon can be measured in inches using a ruler. Length is a measure of how long an object is or the distance between two points.
The metric system of measurement is the standard way of measuring distance, calculating height, and most of the other day-to-day items.
The standard unit of length based on the metric system is a meter (m). According to the length that needs to be measured, we can convert a meter into various units like millimeters (mm), centimeter (cm), and kilometer (km). Centimeters and millimeters help measure smaller lengths and meters and kilometers help measure larger lengths like distance.
A kilometer (km), meter (m), and centimeter (cm) are the commonly used units of length.
Rules
How to convert metric measurements of length:
To convert from one metric unit to another, moving up the chart, multiply by powers of 10 for every step.
If converting moving down the chart, divide by powers of 10 for every step.
To compare two metric weights with different prefixes, convert them to become the same prefix, then compare.
Note: To convert a bigger unit into a smaller unit, we multiply by powers of 10.
To convert a smaller unit into a bigger unit, we divide by powers of 10.
How to compare metric measurements:
1. If necessary, convert one of the measurements so that both measurements are in the same unit.
2. Working from left to right, compare digits that have the same place value. Starting with the digit on the left and moving right, whichever number first has a larger digit is the larger number overall.
Example
Convert.
1,600 centimeters = ________ meters
Solution
1. Centi means 100 times so 100 centimeters = 1 meter
2. Centimeter is smaller than meter so we divide 1,600 by 100
1,600 รท 100 = 16
1,600 centimeters = 16 meters
Practice Conversion of Metric Units of Length
Practice Problem 1
Convert.
Practice Problem 2
Compare.
Practice Problem 3
Martin’s wooden board measured 3.5 meters. Greg had a wooden board that measured 350 cm. Who had the longest wooden board?
Length is the term used for identifying the size of an object or distance from one point to another.