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Length

The Meter

The basic unit of length in the metric system is the meter and is represented by a lowercase m.

 

The meter is defined to be the distance light travels through a vacuum in exactly 1/299792458 seconds. 

 

In the metric system, we always use decimals, never fractions.

Metric Units


1 Kilometer (km) = 1000 meters
1 Meter = 100 Centimeters (cm) 
1 Meter = 1000 Millimeters (mm)

For your notes:

 

  • Draw a line that is exactly 2.8 cm.

  • Write down the length of the line.

  • What is the length of the line in mm? 

  • What is the length of the line to the nearest cm? 

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