Number as Measure Math Example 2

Follow the full solution, then compare it with the other examples linked below.

Example 2

medium
A rope is measured as 3 meters. Convert this to centimeters and to millimeters.

Solution

  1. 1
    1 meter = 100 centimeters, so 3×100=3003 \times 100 = 300 cm.
  2. 2
    1 meter = 1000 millimeters, so 3×1000=30003 \times 1000 = 3000 mm.
  3. 3
    The physical quantity (rope length) is the same; only the number changes with the unit.

Answer

300 cm=3,000 mm300 \text{ cm} = 3{,}000 \text{ mm}
Changing the unit changes the number used to describe the same quantity. Smaller units produce larger numbers for the same length. This illustrates that the number in a measurement is meaningless without its unit.

About Number as Measure

Using numbers to represent the size or amount of a real-world quantity, always paired with a unit of measurement.

Learn more about Number as Measure →

More Number as Measure Examples

Example 1 easy

A pencil measures 17.3 cm long. Identify the number, the unit, and what is being measured.

Example 3 easy

Two students measure the same desk. Student A says it is 90 cm; Student B says it is 0.9 m. Are they

Example 4 medium

A thermometer reads [formula]C. Convert this to Fahrenheit using [formula].

← All Number as Measure Examples Number as Measure Concept