Converting Kilometers to Centimeters

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 35 views

Introduction

The metric system is a widely used system of measurement that is based on the decimal system. It is a logical and consistent system that makes it easy to convert between different units of measurement. In this article, we will explore how to convert kilometers to centimeters using the metric table.

The Metric Table

The metric table is a table that shows the relationships between different units of measurement in the metric system. It is a useful tool for converting between different units of measurement. Here is a sample metric table:

Prefix	Symbol	Value
kilo-	k	1000
hecto-	h	100
deca-	da	10
deci-	d	0.1
centi-	c	0.01
milli-	m	0.001

Converting Kilometers to Centimeters

To convert kilometers to centimeters, we need to use the metric table to find the conversion factor. We know that 1 kilometer is equal to 1000 meters, and 1 meter is equal to 100 centimeters. Therefore, we can use the following conversion factor:

1 kilometer = 1000 meters 1 meter = 100 centimeters

Using the metric table, we can see that the prefix "kilo-" means 1000, and the prefix "centi-" means 0.01. Therefore, we can write the following equation:

1 kilometer = 1000 meters = 100,000 centimeters

Finding the Distance in Centimeters

Now that we have the conversion factor, we can use it to find the distance that Penelope drove in centimeters. We know that Penelope drove 27 kilometers. To find the distance in centimeters, we can multiply the distance in kilometers by the conversion factor:

27 kilometers x 100,000 centimeters/kilometer = 2,700,000 centimeters

Therefore, the expression that finds the distance Penelope drove in centimeters is:

27 kilometers x 100,000 centimeters/kilometer

Conclusion

In this article, we explored how to convert kilometers to centimeters using the metric table. We used the conversion factor to find the distance that Penelope drove in centimeters. We also wrote the expression that finds the distance in centimeters. The metric system is a powerful tool for converting between different units of measurement, and it is an essential part of mathematics and science.

Additional Examples

Here are some additional examples of converting kilometers to centimeters:

5 kilometers = 5 x 100,000 centimeters = 500,000 centimeters
10 kilometers = 10 x 100,000 centimeters = 1,000,000 centimeters
15 kilometers = 15 x 100,000 centimeters = 1,500,000 centimeters

Practice Problems

Here are some practice problems to help you practice converting kilometers to centimeters:

Convert 20 kilometers to centimeters.
Convert 30 kilometers to centimeters.
Convert 40 kilometers to centimeters.

Answer Key

Here are the answers to the practice problems:

20 kilometers = 20 x 100,000 centimeters = 2,000,000 centimeters
30 kilometers = 30 x 100,000 centimeters = 3,000,000 centimeters
40 kilometers = 40 x 100,000 centimeters = 4,000,000 centimeters
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Converting Kilometers to Centimeters ================================================================================

Q: What is the metric system?

A: The metric system is a widely used system of measurement that is based on the decimal system. It is a logical and consistent system that makes it easy to convert between different units of measurement.

Q: What is the prefix "kilo-" in the metric table?

A: The prefix "kilo-" in the metric table means 1000. It is used to denote units of measurement that are 1000 times larger than the base unit.

Q: How do I convert kilometers to centimeters using the metric table?

A: To convert kilometers to centimeters using the metric table, you need to use the conversion factor. We know that 1 kilometer is equal to 1000 meters, and 1 meter is equal to 100 centimeters. Therefore, we can use the following conversion factor:

1 kilometer = 1000 meters 1 meter = 100 centimeters

Using the metric table, we can see that the prefix "kilo-" means 1000, and the prefix "centi-" means 0.01. Therefore, we can write the following equation:

1 kilometer = 1000 meters = 100,000 centimeters

Q: What is the expression that finds the distance Penelope drove in centimeters?

A: The expression that finds the distance Penelope drove in centimeters is:

27 kilometers x 100,000 centimeters/kilometer

Q: How do I convert 20 kilometers to centimeters?

A: To convert 20 kilometers to centimeters, we can use the conversion factor:

20 kilometers x 100,000 centimeters/kilometer = 2,000,000 centimeters

Q: How do I convert 30 kilometers to centimeters?

A: To convert 30 kilometers to centimeters, we can use the conversion factor:

30 kilometers x 100,000 centimeters/kilometer = 3,000,000 centimeters

Q: How do I convert 40 kilometers to centimeters?

A: To convert 40 kilometers to centimeters, we can use the conversion factor:

40 kilometers x 100,000 centimeters/kilometer = 4,000,000 centimeters

Q: What are some common prefixes in the metric table?

A: Some common prefixes in the metric table include:

kilo- (1000)
hecto- (100)
deca- (10)
deci- (0.1)
centi- (0.01)
milli- (0.001)

Q: How do I use the metric table to convert between different units of measurement?

A: To use the metric table to convert between different units of measurement, you need to identify the prefix that corresponds to the unit of measurement you want to convert to. Then, you can use the conversion factor to convert the unit of measurement.

Q: What are some real-world applications of the metric system?

A: The metric system has many real-world applications, including:

Measuring the distance between cities
Measuring the height of buildings
Measuring the weight of objects
Measuring the volume of liquids

Q: Why is the metric system important?

A: The metric system is important because it provides a consistent and logical system of measurement that makes it easy to convert between different units of measurement. It is widely used in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields, as well as in everyday life.