Question

Convert the following metric measures by moving the decimal. \(475 \mathrm{~mL}=\) ______ \(\mathrm{L}\)

Short answer

475 mL = 0.475 L.

Step-by-step solution

Understand the Metric Conversion

To convert milliliters (mL) to liters (L), remember that 1 liter is equal to 1000 milliliters. Therefore, to convert mL to L, you need to divide the number of milliliters by 1000.

Set Up the Division

Given the quantity is 475 mL, set up your division as follows: \( 475 \div 1000 \). This is equivalent to moving the decimal point to the left by three places since 1000 has three zeros.

Move the Decimal Point

Start with the number 475. Since there is no visible decimal, it is right after the last digit (475.0). Move the decimal point three places to the left to get 0.475.

Write the Answer

After moving the decimal, the result is 0.475 L. Thus, 475 mL is equal to 0.475 L.

Key concepts

Decimal Point

When working with numbers, the decimal point plays a crucial role in determining the value of digits within a number. The decimal point is placed to the right of a whole number and separates the integer part from the fractional part.
In the context of metric conversions, the decimal point helps to quickly adjust the position of digits to represent different units accurately. For example, moving the decimal point three places to the left in the number 475 effectively divides the number by 1000, a common operation when converting milliliters (a smaller unit) to liters (a larger unit).

• Having no visible decimal point implies it sits immediately after the last digit of a whole number: 475 is the same as 475.0.
• Shifting the decimal point left or right by a certain number of places helps scale the value—left reduces its magnitude, while moving it right increases it.

This understanding allows us to perform unit conversions efficiently and accurately, ensuring that the numbers represented are correct for their respective units.

Milliliters to Liters

In the metric system, converting between milliliters (mL) and liters (L) is a straightforward process, leveraging the base 10 nature of the system. Since 1 liter equals 1000 milliliters, conversions between these units involve scaling the number by a factor of 1000.
To convert from milliliters to liters, you divide the number of milliliters by 1000. This step can be visually simplified by moving the decimal point three places to the left in the given quantity since 1000 contains three zeroes.

• Start with your milliliters value, for instance, 475 mL.
• Move the decimal point three places left: 475 becomes 0.475 L.

This method ensures a quick and simple transition from milliliters to liters while maintaining accuracy and making calculations manageable.

Division in Metric System

The metric system is designed to simplify conversions between units of measurement through the use of prefixes that scale numbers by powers of 10. Division, in this context, means understanding how many smaller units fit into a larger unit.
When converting milliliters to liters, the division by 1000 signifies determining how many groups of 1000 milliliters fit into your quantity. For 475 milliliters, using the division operation:\[475 \div 1000 = 0.475\]is equivalent to moving the decimal point three places to the left.

• This division doesn't only work for milliliters, but is a general approach for any metric unit conversions based on powers of 10.
• Dividing informs us how many of the larger units are contained within the smaller units we start with.

Understanding division in the metric system helps streamline and demystify the process of converting between different sized measurements. By following the straightforward principle of division, students can confidently tackle a variety of metric conversions.