Understanding how to convert between different units is essential for solving many math and science problems. In this exercise, we converted cubic centimeters (cm³) to cubic decimeters (dm³).
Why is this important? Because units must be consistent in calculations.
Steps for conversion in our example:
- The cylinder's volume was first calculated in cubic centimeters.
- Since 1 cubic decimeter (dm³) is equivalent to 1000 cubic centimeters (cm³), we divide the volume in cubic centimeters by 1000 to get the volume in cubic decimeters.
So, our final volume in cubic decimeters is \( \frac{3.6 \text{cm}^3}{1000} = 0.0036 \text{dm}^3 \footnote\).
By mastering unit conversion, students can handle diverse problems more effectively, ensuring that the units they work with are consistent across different contexts.