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4.6.7: Appropriate Decimal Units for Metric Measurement

  • Page ID
    8796
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    Metric Unit Length Conversions

    Figure 4.6.7.1

    Mustafa is planning to run a 5k race. In order to prepare for the race, he has been running each day. At the end of the first week, he runs 575 meters without stopping. He tries to figure out how that translates in kilometers so he converts 575 meters to kilometers. How many kilometers are equal to 575 meters?

    In this concept, you will learn how to find equivalent metric measurements.

    Converting Using Decimal Numbers

    Sometimes when you convert metric units you don’t have a whole number answer. When this happens, you end up with an answer that is a decimal. 

    Let's work through an example.

    1 mm = ______ cm

    Since you are converting a smaller unit to a larger unit, you are going to divide. There are 10 mm in one centimeter, so you are going to divide 1 by 10. You are dividing 1 whole into 10 parts.

    1 ÷ 10 = 0.1 (one-tenth)

    The answer is 0.1 cm.

    Examples

    Example 4.6.7.1

    Earlier, you were given a problem about Mustafa and the race.

    What is 575 meters in kilometers?

    Solution

    Convert 575 m to km

    575 m = _______ km

    First, determine if you are going from a smaller unit to a larger unit or a larger unit to a smaller unit.

    Smaller to larger

    Next, use the appropriate rule.

    575 ÷ 1000

    Then, write the value.

    0.575

    The answer is 0.575. Mustafa runs 0.575 kilometers.

    Example 4.6.7.2

    Convert 1 m to km.

    1 m = ______ km

    Solution

    First, determine if you are going from a smaller unit to a larger unit or from a larger unit to a smaller unit.

    Smaller to larger

    Next, use the appropriate rule.

    1 ÷ 1000 = 0.001

    Then, write the value.

    0.001

    The answer is 0.001.

    Example 4.6.7.3

    Convert 2 m to km.

    2 m = ______ km

    Solution

    First, determine if you are going from a smaller unit to a larger unit or from a larger unit to a smaller unit.

    Smaller to larger

    Next, use the appropriate rule.

    2 ÷ 1000

    Then, write the value.

    0.002

    The answer is 0.002 km.

     

    Example 4.6.7.4

    Convert 8 mm to cm.

    8 mm = ______ cm

    Solution

    First, determine if you are going from a smaller unit to a larger unit or from a larger unit to a smaller unit.

    Smaller to larger

    Next, use the appropriate rule.

    8 ÷ 10

    Then, write the value.

    0.8

    The answer is 0.8 cm.

    Example 4.6.7.5

    Convert 4 cm to m.

    4 cm = ______ m

    Solution

    First, determine if you are going from a smaller unit to a larger unit or from a larger unit to a smaller unit.

    Smaller to larger

    Next, use the appropriate rule.

    4 ÷ 100

    Then, write the value.

    0.04

    The answer is 0.04.

    Review

    Write each decimal conversion. Round to the nearest hundredth when necessary.

    1. 1 mm = ______ cm
    2. 5 mm = ______ cm
    3. 10 mm = ______ cm
    4. 15 mm = ______ cm
    5. 8 cm = ______ m
    6. 9 cm = ______ m
    7. 11 cm = ______ m
    8. 22 cm = ______ m
    9. 12 m = ______ km
    10. 8 m = ______ km
    11. 22 mm = ______ cm
    12. 225 mm = ______ cm
    13. 543 mm = ______ cm
    14. 987 mm = ______ cm
    15. 1234 mm = ______ cm

    Review (Answers) 

    To see the Review answers, open this PDF file and look for section 3.6. 

    Vocabulary

    Term Definition
    Centimeter A centimeter is a very small unit of metric measure. A centimeter is one hundredth of one meter.
    Kilometer A kilometer is a common metric unit of length that is equal to 1,000 meters.
    Length Length is a measurement of how long something is. Examples of customary units of length are inches, feet, yards and miles.
    Meter A meter is a common metric unit of length that is slightly larger than a yard.
    Metric System The metric system is a system of measurement commonly used outside of the United States. It contains units such as meters, liters, and grams, all in multiples of ten.
    Millimeter A millimeter is the smallest common metric unit of length.

    Additional Resources

    Video: 

     

     

     


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