Express your answer in the smaller unit: 338 km 853 m + 62 km 71 m
The correct answer and explanation is:
Let’s solve the problem step by step:
Problem:
Add the distances 338 km 853 m and 62 km 71 m, and express the answer in the smaller unit.
Step 1: Understand the units
- 1 kilometer (km) = 1000 meters (m)
- The smaller unit here is meters, so we’ll convert everything to meters before adding.
Step 2: Convert both distances to meters
- For 338 km 853 m:
- 338 km=338×1000=338,000 m338 \text{ km} = 338 \times 1000 = 338,000 \text{ m}
- Total meters = 338,000+853=338,853 m338,000 + 853 = 338,853 \text{ m}
- For 62 km 71 m:
- 62 km=62×1000=62,000 m62 \text{ km} = 62 \times 1000 = 62,000 \text{ m}
- Total meters = 62,000+71=62,071 m62,000 + 71 = 62,071 \text{ m}
Step 3: Add the two distances in meters
338,853 m+62,071 m=400,924 m338,853 \text{ m} + 62,071 \text{ m} = 400,924 \text{ m}
Step 4: Final answer
The total distance is 400,924 meters.
Explanation:
When adding measurements with mixed units, it’s best to convert all quantities into the smallest common unit to avoid mistakes. Here, the smaller unit is meters (m), so both distances were converted from kilometers and meters into meters only.
- First, kilometers were converted into meters by multiplying by 1000 because 1 km equals 1000 m.
- Then, the meters were added directly to the converted kilometers.
- After conversion, simple addition was performed.
- Expressing the final answer in meters makes the total easier to interpret precisely without fractions or decimals.
This method ensures accuracy and avoids confusion that may arise when adding units of different scales directly. It is a common practice in science, engineering, and everyday problems involving unit conversions.