Measurement Conversions • Topic 1 of 4

Length Conversions (km, m, cm)

The metric system uses powers of 10 for all conversions — making them easy with multiplication and division.

Key Conversions for Length:

  • 1 km = 1,000 m (multiply by 1,000 to convert km to m)
  • 1 m = 100 cm (multiply by 100 to convert m to cm)
  • 1 km = 1,00,000 cm

Converting from larger to smaller unit: MULTIPLY.
Converting from smaller to larger unit: DIVIDE.

Memory trick: King Henry Died By Drinking Chocolate Milk — Kilo, Hecto, Deca, Base, Deci, Centi, Milli.

Metric Staircase for Lengthkm (kilometre)m (metre)cm (centimetre)x 1,000x 100/ 1,000/ 100
Solved Examples
1
Worked Example
Convert 5 km to meters.
Solution1 km = 1,000 m. 5 km = 5 x 1,000 = 5,000 m.
2
Worked Example
Convert 250 cm to meters.
Solution100 cm = 1 m. 250 cm = 250 / 100 = 2.5 m.
3
Worked Example
Convert 3 km 450 m to meters.
Solution3 km = 3 x 1,000 = 3,000 m. Add 450 m. Total = 3,000 + 450 = 3,450 m.

Key Points

  • 1 km = 1,000 m; 1 m = 100 cm
  • Larger to smaller unit: MULTIPLY
  • Smaller to larger unit: DIVIDE
  • Mixed measurements: convert all to the same unit, then add
Quick Check — 4 MCQs
Tap an option to check your answer0 / 4
Q1.$1$ km equals:
Explanation: $1000$ m.
Q2.$1$ m equals:
Explanation: $100$ cm.
Q3.$1$ cm equals:
Explanation: $10$ mm.
Q4.To change km to m, you:
Explanation: Multiply.
Practice more MCQs → 📝 Assignment · 35 marks