How many mm are equal to 0.003 dm?
The correct answer and explanation is:
Correct Answer:
0.003 decimeters (dm) = 0.3 millimeters (mm)
Step-by-Step Explanation:
To convert from decimeters (dm) to millimeters (mm), you must understand how metric units relate to each other:
The metric system is based on powers of 10, which makes conversions relatively straightforward. Here’s how the basic units line up:
- 1 meter (m) = 10 decimeters (dm)
- 1 meter (m) = 1,000 millimeters (mm)
Now, let’s find the relationship between decimeters and millimeters directly:
Since:
- 1 meter = 10 dm
- 1 meter = 1,000 mm
Then:
- 1 dm = 100 mm
(Because 1 meter is 10 dm, and 1 meter is 1000 mm, divide 1000 mm by 10 dm to get 100 mm per dm)
Convert 0.003 dm to mm:
Now that we know 1 dm = 100 mm, simply multiply the given value in dm by 100 to convert it to mm: 0.003 dm×100=0.3 mm0.003 \, \text{dm} \times 100 = 0.3 \, \text{mm}
Why This Matters:
Understanding metric conversions is crucial in many fields, especially in nursing, medicine, science, and engineering, where accuracy is critical. For example:
- A medication dosage error due to incorrect unit conversion could lead to underdosing or overdosing.
- Measuring body temperature, IV fluids, or length of wounds might involve unit conversions.
By mastering the metric system:
- You can convert between units like km, m, dm, cm, and mm with ease.
- You ensure safe, accurate, and effective care or measurements.
Tips for Remembering:
Use this ladder method to remember the order:
kilo → hecto → deca → (base) → deci → centi → milli
Each step to the right = multiply by 10
Each step to the left = divide by 10
So, going from dm to mm (2 steps right), you multiply by 10 × 10 = 100.
✅ Final Answer: 0.3 mm