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Convert between metric length units

Metric length conversion represents the same distance in different units—kilometers, meters, centimeters, and millimeters—through base-ten relationships such as 1 kilometer = 1,000 meters, 1 meter = 100 centimeters, and 1 centimeter = 10 millimeters. The quantity remains unchanged while its numerical value increases when expressed in smaller units and decreases in larger units, using powers of ten with whole numbers, decimals, or fractions; compound-unit rates and nonmetric conversions are outside this scope.

Detailed Explanation: Convert between metric length units

Metric units measure the same length in different-sized units:

  • 11 kilometer (km\text{km}) =1,000= 1{,}000 meters (m\text{m})
  • 11 meter (m\text{m}) =100= 100 centimeters (cm\text{cm})
  • 11 centimeter (cm\text{cm}) =10= 10 millimeters (mm\text{mm})

When changing to a smaller unit, the number gets larger, so multiply. When changing to a larger unit, the number gets smaller, so divide.

Example: Convert 3.43.4 meters to centimeters.

  1. Meters are being changed to centimeters. Since centimeters are smaller units, multiply.
  2. Use the conversion fact:
1 m=100 cm1\text{ m}=100\text{ cm}
  1. Multiply:
3.4×100=3403.4\times100=340

  1. Write the new unit:

3.4 m=340 cm3.4\text{ m}=340\text{ cm}

So, 3.43.4 meters is 340340 centimeters.

Learn by doing: Convert between metric length units

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    Measurement Conversion - Metric Length Units (Common) with Decimals

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