Question

How many kilometers are in 12,000 meters?

Short answer

12,000 meters is equal to 12 kilometers.

Step-by-step solution

Understand the Unit Conversion

To solve the problem, we need to convert meters (m) to kilometers (km). It's important to know the basic conversion: 1 kilometer (km) is equal to 1,000 meters (m). This will help us set up the conversion correctly.

Set Up the Conversion Equation

Since we know that 1 kilometer equals 1,000 meters, we can set up an equation to convert meters to kilometers. We take the number of meters given, which is 12,000 meters, and divide it by 1,000 to convert to kilometers.

Perform the Calculation

Now we perform the division to find the number of kilometers in 12,000 meters. The calculation is: \[ \frac{12,000}{1,000} \] Calculating the division gives us the number of kilometers.

Write the Final Answer

After completing the division \( \frac{12,000}{1,000} \), we find that the answer is 12 kilometers. Therefore, 12,000 meters is equal to 12 kilometers.

Key concepts

Distance Measurement

Distance measurement is the process of determining the length between two points. It's a fundamental concept used in everyday life, as well as in scientific and technological fields. When measuring distances, it's pivotal to select the appropriate unit for convenience and accuracy.

Distances can be vast, like those between cities, or small, like the thickness of a book. Each scenario might require different units, such as kilometers for large distances and centimeters for small ones. By understanding the principles of distance measurement, we can transform raw numbers into meaningful data:

• Select the right tools: Use rulers for short distances and odometers for long travels.
• Apply unit conversion for flexibility: Convert meters to kilometers or miles as needed.
• Consistent usage of units helps in sharing and comparing information accurately.

Grasping how to measure and convert distances enables a clearer understanding of both everyday tasks and complex scientific calculations.

Metric System

The metric system is a decimal-based system of measurement widely used around the world. It simplifies calculations by using base units and standard prefixes to quantify measurements. For distance, the primary unit is the meter, from which other units such as kilometers and centimeters are derived.

The beauty of the metric system lies in its coherence and uniformity:

• Each prefix represents a power of ten, facilitating easy conversions (e.g., 1 kilometer is 1,000 meters).
• It's internationally recognized, ensuring consistency across regions and fields of study.
• The system is intuitive and easily scalable for various scales of measurements.

By mastering the metric system, students can effortlessly switch between measuring units, which is especially useful in science, engineering, and international business.

Division

Division is a basic mathematical operation used to determine how many times one number is contained within another. It's crucial for unit conversion problems, like converting meters to kilometers in our example. Division answers questions like, "How many equal parts can this quantity be split into?" or in practical terms, "If an item costs this much, how many can I buy with my money?"

In the context of converting 12,000 meters to kilometers, we use division to simplify the measurement:

• Recognize the conversion factor: 1 kilometer equals 1,000 meters.
• Apply division: divide the total meters by 1,000 to get kilometers.
• Confirm accuracy by checking the calculation step-by-step.

Division helps break down complex measurements into understandable units and ensures precision in conversions and broader applications.