Measurement of Length

We measure small lengths in cm and mm and large lengths (i.e. distances) 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 centimeter and written as ‘cm’. Therefore 1 m = 100 cm

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

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

1 kilometer (km) = 10 Hectometers (hm) = 1000 m

1 Hectometer (hm) = 10 Decameters (dam) = 100 m

1 Decameter (dam) = 10 Meters (m)

1 Meter (m) = 10 Decimeters (dm) = 100 cm = 1000 mm

1 Decimeter (dm) = 10 Centimeters (cm)

1 Decimeter = 0.1 Meter

1 Centimeter (cm) = 10 Millimeters (mm)

1 Centimeter = 0.01 Meter

1 Millimeter = 0.001 Meter

Note:

1 mile = 1760 yards

1 mile = 5280 feet

1 yard = 3 feet

1 foot = 12 inches

An easy way to remember the above conversion chart is the following statement:

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