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Length Conversion

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Introduction to Measuring Length

In the conversion of measuring length, we will figure out how to change metres into centimetres, kilometres into metres, and centimetres into endless metres into kilometres.


As we know the standard unit of length is a metre. Smaller lengths are measured in centimetres which are composed of centimetres. The kilometre is the greater unit of length.

  • 1 metre = 100 centimetres

  • 1 kilometre = 1000 metres


Measuring Length


Measuring Length


Thus, to change a metre into centimetres, we multiply by 100, and for centimetres into metres, we divide by 100. To change kilometres into metres, we multiply by 1000, and for metres into kilometres, we divide by 1000.


Measurements Conversion

To change metres into centimetres, multiply the number of metres by 100.

  • 1 metre = 100 centimetres

  • 2 metre = 2 × 100 centimetres = 200 centimetres

  • 3 metre = 3 × 100 centimetres = 300 centimetres

  • 5 metre = 5 × 100 centimetres = 500 centimetres


To convert kilometres into metres, multiply the number of kilometres by 1000.

  • 1 kilometres = 1000 m

  • 2 kilometres = 2 × 1000 m = 2000 metres

  • 3 kilometres = 3 × 1000 m = 3000 metres

  • 7 kilometres = 7 × 1000 m = 7000 metres


To convert into metres, divide the number of centimetres by 100 or put a dot (.) after 2 digits from right.

  • 100 centimetres = 1.00 metres or 1 metres

  • 200 centimetres = 2.00 metres or 2 metres

  • 800 centimetres = 8.00 metres or 8 metres

  • 1100 centimetres = 11.00 metres or 11 metres

  • 100 centimetres = 100 ÷ 100 = 1 metre

  • 200 centimetres = 200 ÷ 100 = 2 metres

  • 800 centimetres = 800 ÷ 100 = 8 metres

  • 1100 centimetres = 1100 ÷ 100 = 11 metres


To convert metres into kilometres, divide the number of metres by 1000 or put a dot (.) after 3 digits from right.

  • 1000 metres = 1000 ÷ 100 = 1 kilometres or 1.000 kilometres

  • 2000 metres = 2000 ÷ 100 = 2 kilometres or 2.000 kilometres

  • 3000 metres = 3000 ÷ 100 = 3 kilometres or 3.000 kilometres

  • 9000 metres = 9000 ÷ 100 = 9 kilometres or 9.000 kilometres


To convert miles and kilometres:

  • Km to Mile

1 km = 0.621 mile

  • Mile to Km

1 mile = 1.609 km


Kilometre

Miles

5

5 × 0.621 = 3.105

10

10 × 0.621 = 3.210

40

40 × 0.621 = 24.84

200

200 × 0.621 = 124.2

500

500 × 0.621 = 310.5


Tools to Measure Length

There are various tools for the measurement of the length of various things. The list of most commonly used tools for measuring length is given below:

  • Ruler

  • Tapes

  • Measuring sticks

  • Metre sticks

  • Feet/foot scale


Some Important Measurement Conversions

Length

  • 1 mile = 1760 yards

  • 1 yard = 3 feet

  • 1 foot = 12 inches


Mass

  • 1 ton = 2000 pounds

  • 1 pound = 16 ounces


Volume

  • 1 gallon = 4 quarts

  • 1 quart = 32 liquid ounces


Currency

  • 1 dollar = 100 cents


Time

  • 1 day = 24 hours

  • 1 hour = 60 minutes

  • 1 minute = 60 seconds


Solved Examples

Example 1. 5 metre = ____ decimetre

Ans: 1 metre = 10 decimetre

5 metre = 5 × 10 = 50 decimetre


Example 2. 45 decimetre = ___ m

Ans: 1 decimetre = 0.1 m

45 decimetre = 45 × 0.1

= 4.5 m

Example 3. 10 m = _____cm

Ans: 1 metre = 100 centimetre

10 metre = 10 × 100

= 1000 cm


Example 4. 500 cm = ______ m

Ans: 1 centimetre = 0.01 metre

500 cm = 500 × 0.01

= 5 m


Example 5. 16 m = _____mm

Ans: 1 metre = 1000 millimetre

16 metre = 16 × 1000

= 16000 mm


Example 6. 68 millimetre = _____m

Ans: 1 millimetre = 0.001 metre

68 millimetre = 68 × 0.001

= 0.068 m


Practice Problems

1. 20 m = _____decametre ?

Ans: 2 decametre


2. 35 decametre = ___ metre ?

Ans: 250 metres


3. 35 m = _____hectometre ?

Ans: 0.35 hectometre


4. 1 hectometre = ___ metre ?

Ans: 100 metres


5. 50 m = _____kilometre ?

Ans: 0.05 kilometre


6. 500 kilometre = ____m ?

Ans: 500000m metre


Conclusion

The fundamental rule of conversion is that if you want to convert from a larger unit to a smaller unit, then multiply. If you want to convert from a smaller unit to a larger unit, then divide. Knowing the various units used in the metric system is significant; the purpose behind learning the metric system for measuring is for you to have the option to use these measurement units to calculate the size, mass, or volume of various articles.

FAQs on Length Conversion

1. What is measuring length?

Measuring length is defined as recognizing how long is the given item. Length is a quantifiable quality provided to objects to identify them and work with them effectively. In laboratories, while taking scientific measurements, it is essential to be both accurate and exact. Accuracy represents how close a measurement comes to its actual value. This is significant because bad equipment, poor data, or human mistake can lead to inaccurate results that are not close to the true value. Vernier calliper is used for taking small length measurements.

2. What is the purpose of conversion?

A unit conversion expresses a similar property as a different unit of measurement. For example, time can be expressed in minutes rather than hours, while distance can be converted from miles to kilometres or metres, or feet, or some other measure of length. Frequently, measurements are given in one set of units, like feet, but are required in various units, like chains. A conversion factor is a numeric expression that enables feet to be changed to chains as an equivalent value.

3. Why do we need to measure length?

Measurement is needed because it is required to find out the accurate length, area, volume, or mass of different objects for various purposes. We need to measure length and distance to calculate the accuracy and reliability of the object.