Units of Length: Meters, Millimeters, Conversions

Study Notes

Length Units

Length is a measure of how far apart two points are. In everyday life, we often measure length using units such as inches, feet, meters, and kilometers. This section will discuss some common length units, including their definitions, conversions, and uses.

Meters (m)

The most commonly used unit of length around the world is the meter (m). It is defined as the distance traveled by light in a vacuum in 1/299792458th of a second. One meter is approximately equal to three feet, 3.28 feet, 39.37 inches, or 1.09 yards.

Conversion from Meters to Centimeters

Since one meter has 100 centimeters (cm), you can convert meters to centimeters by multiplying the number of meters by 100. For example, if you have a length of 5 meters, it would be equal to 5 * 100 = 500 centimeters.

Conversion from Meters to Kilometers

To convert meters to kilometers, divide the number of meters by 1,000. For instance, if you have a length of 1,000 meters, it would be equal to 1000 / 1000 = 1 kilometer.

Millimeters (mm)

Millimeters (mm) are one thousandth of a meter, equivalent to one hundredth of a centimeter. They are often used in scientific measurements and for precision work.

Conversion from Meters to Millimeters

One millimeter is equal to one thousandth of a meter. To convert meters to millimeters, multiply the number of meters by 1,000,000. For example, if you have a length of 5 meters, it would be equal to 5 * 1,000,000 = 5,000,000 millimeters.

Conversion from Centimeters to Millimeters

Since there are 100 centimeters in a meter, one centimeter is equal to 10 times smaller than one millimeter. Therefore, you can convert centimeters to millimeters by multiplying the number of centimeters by 10. For example, if you have a length of 50 centimeters, it would be equal to 50 * 10 = 500 millimeters.

In conclusion, understanding length units is crucial for various applications in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and daily life. By knowing the relationships between different units, such as meters, centimeters, kilometers, and millimeters, you can accurately measure and compare distances.

Description

Learn about common units of length like meters and millimeters, their definitions, conversions, and uses. Understand how to convert between meters, centimeters, kilometers, and millimeters for accurate measurements.