Question

Measurement Express each measurement in meters. \(430 \mathrm{mm}\)

Short answer

0.43 meters

Step-by-step solution

Understanding the Conversion Factor

To convert millimeters to meters, it's important to know that 1 meter is equal to 1000 millimeters. This means we need to divide the number of millimeters by 1000 to convert it to meters.

Applying the Conversion

Take the given measurement of 430 millimeters and divide it by 1000 to convert it to meters. This can be written as: \[ 430 \text{ }\text{mm} \times \frac{1 \text{ meter}}{1000 \text{ millimeters}} = 0.43 \text{ meters} \]

Simplifying the Expression

Perform the division: \[ 430 \text{ mm} \times \frac{1}{1000} = 0.43 \text{ meters} \]

Key concepts

Metric System

The metric system is an international system of measurement used in almost every country around the world. It's based on powers of ten, which makes conversions straightforward and easy to understand. The most common units in the metric system include meters for length, grams for weight, and liters for volume. Because everything is based on tens, converting from one unit to another, like millimeters to meters, often involves simple steps like multiplying or dividing by 10, 100, 1000, and so on. This consistency makes the metric system not only easy to learn but also very precise.

Millimeters to Meters

Converting millimeters to meters is a basic yet crucial conversion in the metric system. To understand it, you first need to grasp that 1 meter (\text{m}\text{) is equal to 1000 millimeters (\text{mm}\text{). So, if you want to convert millimeters to meters, you divide the number of millimeters by 1000. For example, if you have a measurement of 430 millimeters, you convert it by dividing 430 by 1000. This gives you 0.43 meters. Here's the math in a simple equation: \[ 430 \text{ mm} \times \frac{1 \text{ meter}}{1000 \text{ millimeters}} = 0.43 \text{ meters} \]. This step ensures you understand how different metric units relate to each other, making it easier to convert between them.

Conversion Factors

A conversion factor is a ratio used to convert measurements from one unit to another. In metric conversions, these factors are usually powers of ten, which simplifies the math. For example, the conversion factor between millimeters and meters is \[ \frac{1}{1000} \]. You can use this conversion factor to convert any millimeter measurement to meters by multiplying the number of millimeters by \[ \frac{1}{1000} \]. This method works because you're essentially scaling down the measurement by a factor of 1000. Conversion factors are invaluable because they provide a standardized method for converting between different units, ensuring accuracy and consistency in measurements.