Measurement of Length

 

We measure small lengths in cm and mm and large lengths (i.e. distances) in m and km. Standard unit of length is ‘Meter’ which is written in short as ‘m’.

 

1 m length is divided into 100 equal divisions. Each division is known as centimetre and written as ‘cm’.

Therefore, 1 m = 100 cm

 

The largest unit that distance is measured in is kilometre. 1 km length is divided into 1000 equal divisions. Each division is termed as meter. Therefore, 1 km= 1000 m

 

Let us look at the length conversion chart-

 

 

According to the length conversion charts, units of lengths and their equivalents are:

• 1 kilometre (km) = 10 Hectometres (hm) = 1000 m

• 1 Hectometre (hm) = 10 Decametres (dam) = 100 m
• 1 Decametre (dam) = 10 Meters (m)
• 1 Meter (m) = 10 Decimetres (dm) = 100 cm = 1000 mm
• 1 Decimetre (dm) = 10 Centimetres (cm)
• 1 Decimetre = 0.1 Meter

• 1 Centimetre (cm) = 10 Millimetres (mm)
• 1 Centimetre = 0.01 Meter
• 1 Millimetre = 0.001 Meter

 

Note:

 

• 1 mile = 1760 yards

 

• 1 mile = 5280 feet

 

• 1 yard = 3 feet

 

• 1 foot = 12 inches

 

 

Conversion

 

While converting from a larger unit to a smaller unit, we multiply

Example 1:    km → m

1 km = 1000 m

Therefore, 5 km = 5 x 1000 = 5000 m

Example 2:    m → cm

1 m = 100 cm

Therefore, 4 m = 4 x 100 = 400 cm

 

Example 3:    hm → dm

1 hm = 1000 dm

Therefore, 20 hm = 20 x 1000 = 20000 dm

 

While converting from a smaller unit to a larger unit, we divide

Example 1:    mm → cm

1 mm = 1/10 cm

Therefore, 20 mm = 20/10 cm = 2 cm

 

Example 2:    dm → dam

1 dm = 1/100 dam

Therefore, 300 dm = 300/100 dam = 3 dam

 

Example 3:    cm → m

1 cm = 1/100 m

Therefore, 150 cm = 150/100 m = 1.50 m