Convert Decimal Units of Measure

In this activity, we're going to be learning how to convert between units of measure including millimetres (mm), centimetres (cm), metres (m) and kilometres (km).

 

 

Things we need to know:

10 mm = 1 cm

100 cm = 1 m

1,000 m = 1 km

 

We may need to convert some measures to decimals:

10 cm = 0.1 m (0.1 = 1/10 = 10%)

20 cm = 0.2 m

100 m = 0.1 km

300 m = 0.3 km

900 m = 0.9 km

 

Let's have a look at a question:

 

Example 1

How many cm are there in 6.5 m ?

1 m = 100 cm

6 m = 600 cm

0.5 m = 50 cm

600 + 50 = 650 cm

There are 650 cm in 6.5 m

 

Example 2

Josh walks to and from school every day.

School is 1.2 km from home.

How many metres does Josh walk each day?

 

Answer

Josh walks 2.4 km per day (1.2 x 2 = 2.4)

1 km = 1,000 m

2 km = 2,000 m

0.4 km = 400 m

2,000 + 400 = 2,400 m

 

Josh walks 2,400 m per day.

 

 

Now it's your turn to have a go at some questions.