Converting units
Example
The sunflower is \(214\, \text{cm}\) tall. Calculate the height of the sunflower in:
(a) metres
(b) millimetres
(a) \(1\, \text{metre} = 100\, \text{centimetres}\)
So, \(214~\text{cm} = (214 \div 100)~\text{m} = 2.14~\text{m}\)
(b) \(1\, \text{centimetre} = 10\, \text{millimetres}\)
So, \(214~\text{cm} = (214 \times 10)~\text{mm} = 2,140~\text{mm}\)
1 metre is longer than 1 centimetre, so to convert from metres to centimetres, multiply by 100. 1 millimetre is shorter than 1 centimetre so to convert from millimetres to centimetres, divide by 10.
Question
Convert the following to the units given in brackets:
a) \(5,120~g~(kg)\)
b) \(15~cl~(ml)\)
c) \(245~mm~(m)\)
a) \(5.12~kg\)
Remember that \(1~kg = 1,000~g\).
To convert from \({g}\) to \({kg}\), divide by \(1,000\).
b) \(150~ml\)
Remember that \(1~cl = 10~ml\).
To convert from \({cl}\) to \({ml}\), multiply by \(10\).
c) \(0.245~m\)
Remember that \(1~m = 1,000~mm\).
To convert from \({mm}\) to \({m}\), divide by \(1,000\).