1. EXAMPLE 1
Converting Metric Units of Length
Running
In the meter relay race, four teammates each run 800 meters. The total length of the race is 3200 meters. How many kilometers long is the race?

2. The 4 800 meter relay race is 3.2 kilometers long.
EXAMPLE 1
Converting Metric Units of Length
To find the length in kilometers of the relay race, convert 3200 meters to kilometers.
SOLUTION
You are converting from a smaller unit (meters) to a larger unit (kilometers), so divide by a power of 10.
From meters to kilometers, the decimal point is moved 3 places to the left, so divide by 103, or 1000.
= 3.2
3200 meters = 3.2 kilometers
ANSWER
The meter relay race is 3.2 kilometers long.

3. Copy and complete the statement.
EXAMPLE 2
Converting Units of Mass and Capacity
Copy and complete the statement.
a. 15 g = ? mg
b. 590 mL = ? L
SOLUTION
a. To convert from grams to milligrams, multiply by 1000.
= 15,000, so 15 g = 15,000 mg.
b. To convert from milliliters to liters, divide by 1000.
= 0.59, so 590 mL = 0.59 L.

4. Copy and complete the statement.
GUIDED PRACTICE
for Examples 1 and 2
Copy and complete the statement.
m = ? km
ANSWER
6.8
2. 54 m = ? mm
ANSWER
54,000
cm = ? m
ANSWER
8.3

5. Copy and complete the statement.
GUIDED PRACTICE
for Examples 1 and 2
Copy and complete the statement.
mm = ? cm
ANSWER
11.5
kL = ? L
ANSWER
9250
g = ? kg
ANSWER
0.1