Metric length conversion

VOCABULARY
WORD MEANING

unit the standard by which a measurement is defined

the comparison of an unknown measurement with a

measurement
known measurement

length the linear extent in space from one end to other end
height distance from the base to its top.
the magnitude of a physical quantity expressed in
metric system
terms of ten power.

mass amount of matter present in an object

metre SI unit of length
kilogram  SI unit of mass
To understand centimetres and millimetres it is
first helpful to think of them in relation to a
metre.

• How many centimetres are there in a metre?

• The word centimetre is made up of two parts.
• Centi meaning one hundredth, so the word
centimetre means one hundredth of a metre.
• A centimetre is 100 times smaller than a metre.
• Centimetre can be written as cm.
• 100cm = 1m
Do you think that a millimetre is bigger
or smaller than a centimetre?

• A millimetre is smaller than a centimetre. 

• Milli meaning one thousandth, so the word
millimetre means one thousandth of a metre.
• A millimetre is a thousand times smaller than a
metre. 
• Millimetre can be written as mm.
• 1000mm = 1m
• How many mm are there in every cm?
There are 10mm in every 1cm.
Millimetres can be written using the unit mm or as parts of
a centimetre.
So, to convert between mm and cm have a look at this
handy diagram.

x 10

10mm = 1cm
÷ 10

When converting from cm to mm you must multiply by 10.

When converting from mm to cm you must divide by 10.
If something measures 5mm what would this be in cm?

5 divided by 10 = 0.5
So a measurement of 5mm could be converted to 0.5cm  

If a pea measures 8mm what would this be in cm?

8 ÷ 10 = 0.8
8mm = 0.8cm
Let’s practise.
Write these mm measurements as cm.

2mm = 0.2cm
?

?
7mm = 0.7cm

9mm = 0.9cm
?

15mm = 1.5cm
?

43mm = 4.3cm
?
If something measures 2cm what would this be in mm?

2 multiplied by 10 = 20
So a measurement of 2cm could be converted to 20mm. 

If a marble measures 3cm what would this be in mm?

3 x 10 = 30
3cm = 30mm
Write these cm measurements as mm.

0.3cm = 3mm
?

?
12cm = 120mm

?
6cm = 60mm

?
45cm = 450mm

?
17cm = 170mm
Answer true or false for each of these statements.

When you convert from mm to cm you divide by 10.   True ?

  
           
4cm is the same as 0.4mm.        False ?

When you convert from cm to mm you multiply by 10.     True ?

12mm is the same as 1.2cm.        True  ?

35mm is the same as 350cm.          False ?

Let’s play a quick quiz!
For each question there will be four options. Click on the
correct answer.
Convert 67mm to cm.

67cm 6.7cm 670cm 0.67cm

Back Next
How many mm are there in 20cm?

200 2000 20 0.2

Back Next
Convert 78cm into mm.

7.8mm 78mm 0.78mm 780mm

Back Next
Convert 565mm into cm

56cm 5.65cm 56.5cm 0.565cm

Back Next
Select the measurement that is larger.

673mm 7.55cm

Back Next
 Ladder Method
1
2
3
KILO
1000 HECTO
Units 100 DEKA
Units 10
Units metre DECI
0.1 CENTI
Unit 0.01
MILLI
Unit
0.001
Unit
 Converting between units

X 10 X 100 X 1000

cm mm m cm km m
÷ 10 ÷ 1000
÷ 100
Let’s try!
5600 m ………………… km

68 m …………………… mm

275 cm ……………………… m

382 mm ……………………… cm
 Converting metric units

20mm = ……..cm
 Converting metric units

450mm = ……..m
 Converting metric units

0.5cm = ……..mm
 Converting metric units

4000m = ……..km
THANK YOU!
  LEARNING OBJECTIVE
 To be able to define length and units of length.
 To be able to convert metric units.
 To understand applications related to length.

• Complete the task given in

• Complete the task given in • Complete the task given in
task sheet.
task sheet. task sheet.
• I am planning to place a
carpet in our class room..
• Estimate and then measure • Measure the length of any 5
How will you use the the length of any 5 objects objects in the classroom
knowledge of length to solve in the classroom. using standard measuring
the above? device.

Challenge higher!!!!
Can you think any other way to
apply knowledge of length in day
today life?