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Metres and millimetres ( and ) are commonly used metric measurements for length. The metric system is a decimal based system of measurement used by most countries across the world. [1] X Research source The metric system is based on multiples of 10, so you can convert metres to millimetres and vice versa fairly quickly by multiplying and dividing.
Steps
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Find the number of whole metres you need to convert to millimetres. If this measurement is not given to you, you will need to measure using a metre stick or tape measure.
- The length of one metre stick is equal to 1 metre.
- A metre stick is NOT the same as a yardstick. There are 3 feet in a yard, but there are about 3.28 feet in one metre. [2] X Research source
- You will know a measurement is in metres because it will be labeled .
- For example, if the length of a floor is 4 metre sticks long, it is long.
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Find the number of partial metres you need to convert to millimetres. Often you will see metres stated in decimals. These means you have a partial metre to convert. If you are measuring, use the centimetre ( ) or millimetre ( ) units on the metre stick or tape measure.
- For example, if you measure something that is 4 metres long, plus 30 centimetres, it is 4.3 metres long, because there are 100 centimetres in 1 metre. [3] X Research source
- If you measure something that is 4 metres long, plus 30 millimetres, it is 4.03 metres long, because there are 1000 millimetres in a metre. [4] X Research source
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Write the number of metres, and place your pencil on the decimal point. To convert metres to millimetres you need to multiply. Since the metric system is based on multiples of ten, the easiest way to do this is by moving the decimal point to the right. [5] X Research source
- For example, if you are converting , write and place your pencil on the decimal point.
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Move your pencil three places to the right. Since there are 1000 millimetres per metre, you need to multiply by 1000 to convert from metres to millimetres. [6] X Research source
- For example, if your floor is long, you would move your pencil three decimal places to the right, adding two zeros to the number. This gives you .
- You could also use a calculator or use the standard multiplication algorithm to calculate .
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Find the number of millimetres you need to convert to metres. If this measurement is not given to you, you will need to measure using a ruler.
- On a standard American ruler, millimetres can be measured with the smallest lines on the metric ( ) side.
- Make sure you measure millimetres (small lines) and not centimetres (numbered lines).
- You will know a measurement is in millimetres because it will be labeled .
- For example, the length of a pencil might be long.
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Write the number of millimetres, adding a decimal to the right of the last digit. Place your pencil on the decimal point. To convert millimetres to metres, you need to divide. Since the metric system is based on multiples of ten, the easiest way to do this is by moving the decimal point to the left. [7] X Research source
- For example, if you are converting , write and place your pencil on the decimal point.
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Move your pencil three places to the left. Since there are 1000 millimetres per metre, you need to divide by 1000 to convert from millimetres to metres. [8] X Research source
- For example, if your pencil is long, you would move your pencil three decimal places to the left. This gives you .
- You could also use a calculator or use the standard division algorithm to calculate .
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Community Q&A
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QuestionWhat do I do to convert m to mm?DonaganTop AnswererMultiply by 1,000.
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QuestionHow do convert 1,27 mm into m?DonaganTop AnswererDivide mm by 1,000.
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QuestionWhat is 1 meter + 85 cm + 400 mm?Community AnswerTo answer, you need to convert all of these to the same unit of measurement, for example, mm. There are 1000 mm in 1 m, and 10 mm in 1 cm. So the problem changes to 1,000mm + 850mm + 400mm.
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Things You'll Need
- Calculator
- Pencil
- Paper
- Brain
References
- ↑ http://www.popsci.com/why-hasnt-us-adopted-metric-system
- ↑ http://www.meters-to-feet.com/
- ↑ http://mathcentral.uregina.ca/QQ/database/QQ.09.07/h/sherrie1.html
- ↑ http://ltcconline.net/greenl/courses/cahsee/geometry/units.htm
- ↑ http://www.purplemath.com/modules/metric.htm
- ↑ http://www.purplemath.com/modules/metric.htm
- ↑ http://www.purplemath.com/modules/metric.htm
- ↑ http://www.purplemath.com/modules/metric.htm
About This Article
Article Summary
X
To convert meters into millimeters, multiply the number of meters by 1,000. For example, if you have 5.2 meters, that would be 5,200 millimeters. Another way to get your solution is to write down the number of meters on a piece of paper. Then, simply move the decimal places over 3 places to the right. If you have 6.1 meters, that would become 6,100 millimeters after moving the decimal point. To learn how to convert millimeters into meters, scroll down!
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