Lesson 8-6

Example 1 Change Metric Units
Complete ■ mm = 72 cm.

Since 1 centimeter = 10 millimeters, multiply 72 by 10.

72  10 = 720

So, 720 mm = 72 cm.

Example 2 Change Metric Units
Complete 502 g = ■ kg.

Since 1,000 grams = 1 kilogram, divide 502 by 1,000.

502  1,000 = 0.502

So, 502 g = 0.502 kg.

Example 3 Change Units to Solve a Problem
TRAVEL   Dave has installed 100 meters of fencing in his backyard. How many more kilometers does he have to install if he has a total of 3 kilometers of fencing he must use? 

First, change 100 meters to kilometers. You can use a proportion.

÷10

 = 

÷10

x = 1 ÷ 10 or 0.1

So, 100 meters = 0.1 kilometer.

Subtract to find the number of kilometers of fencing Dave still has to install.

3 − 0.1 = 2.9 kilometers

Dave has 2.9 kilometers of fencing left to install.