Question

Explain why converting from meters to centimeters uses a different exponent than converting from meters to millimeters.

Answer 1

Converting from meter to centimeter uses a exponent of 2 and converting from meter to millimeter uses a exponent of 3

Solution:

The different units of length conversion charts are given as:

kilometre (km)

Hectometre (hm)

Decametre (dam)

Metre (m)

Decimetre (dm)

Centimetre (cm)

millimeter (m)

Converting from meters to centimeters:

From above listed units, we can observe meter is bigger unit than centimeter

So to convert from meter to centimeter, we have to move two times to reach centimeter in above listed units

So we have to multiply the value by 100 or 10 to power 2

1 meter = 100 cm

`1 meter = 10^2 cm`

So converting from meter to centimeter uses a exponent of 2

Converting from meter to millimeter:

Similarly using the above chart, we can say millimeter is smaller than meter.

So to convert from meter to millimeter, we have to move three times to reach millimeter in above listed units

In this, when we convert from meter to millimeter, we have to multiply the value by 1000

1 meter = 1000 millimeter

`1 meter = 10^3 millimeter`

So converting from meter to millimeter uses a exponent of 3

Answer 2

Well, centimetre and millimetre both are same smaller unit than the metre.

So, to convert from metre to millimetre a centimetre, we have to multiply by a number greater than 1 .

1m = 100cm

1m = 1000mm

So multiply by 100 or 10^2 to convert from metre to centimetre .

And multiply by 1000 or 10^3 to convert from metre to millimetre .

Explanation:

hope it helps

~Adrianna