Final answer:
To divide a square kilometer grid for locating objects to the nearest 100 meters, meters is the appropriate unit. Centimeters and millimeters denote smaller measurements and kilometers are too large, making meters the practical choice for the desired precision.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student is inquiring about subdividing a square kilometer grid to locate objects with a precision of 100 meters. Within the metric system, various units of measurement are used to measure different lengths and distances. To subdivide a square kilometer, which is a unit used to measure larger areas, we can use other metric units such as meters, centimeters, and millimeters. A square kilometer is equal to 1,000 meters on each side. Knowing that there are 1,000 meters in 1 kilometer can help us understand how to divide the grid accurately.
When thinking of the most appropriate unit to measure a distance of 100 meters, we don't need to consider centimeters or millimeters, as these units represent much smaller measurements; a centimeter is 1/100 of a meter and a millimeter is 1/1000 of a meter. Therefore, the suitable unit for locating objects to the nearest 100 meters within a square kilometer grid is meters. This decision can be reinforced by visualizing measurement units in everyday objects like the length of houses or pools, which are typically measured in meters, not kilometers, centimeters, or millimeters.
In conclusion, to achieve our goal of dividing one square kilometer grids to locate objects with 100-meter precision, we will use the meter as our unit of measurement. This is because it is the most practical unit for the level of precision required, with conversion factors readily available leading us back to the base unit of length in the metric system: the meter.