Why is it easier to convert meters to centimeters or millimeters than it is to change yards to feet or inches?

Answer 1

Conversion is easier in the metric system because the metric system uses increments which are represented in different powers of 10. That means they are all multiples of 10. And all we have to do to convert in metrics is just move the decimal point the correct number of places to the left or right to make the conversion. To convert 10 centimeters to millimeters, we multiply by 10 - or just move the decimal to the right one place to get 100 millimeters. Piece of cake. In the English system, it isn't that simple. You know that 5280 feet = 1 mile, and 1 yard = 3 feet, but how many yards are in a mile? It is possible to "work it in your head" to get 1760 yards = 1 mile, but conversion isn't nearly as easy here as in the metric system. Simplified: Metric always uses a base of 10, thus converting from any metric measure of distance to any other metric measure of distance is done simply by adjusting zeroes. The English system uses no common base, thus the math involved in converting between formats, is more complicated.

Answer 2

That is excatly why some countries made the metric system standard, it is EASIER!! their is no decimals - example

1 kilometer = 1000 meters EASY!

1 kilometer = 1.3265955 miles NOT SO EASY!!

1=1000 : 1000=1

Answer 3

The Meters to kilometers conversion is easier.

It is easier to divide by 1000 by moving the decimal three places to the left (meters to kilometers) than it is to multiply by 36.

For example

Convert 5000 meters to kilometers... 5000 / 1000 = 5 ... easy.

Convert 5000 yards to inches... 5000 x 36 = .... many people would need a calculator at this point, therefore it is harder.

Answer 4

To convert units in the metric system is simple because you only need to multiply or divide by a power of ten. Converting inches to feet and vice versa is less convenient most of the time.

For example, to convert 50 centimeters into meters, you need only divide by 100 (1m = 100cm). So 50cm = .5m

Now to convert 50 inches into feet, you need to divide by twelve. (1 ft = 12 inches)

So 50/12 ~ 4.17 ft 50in = 4.17 ft.

Using the metric system simplifies calculations, especially when the numbers are bigger and multiple unit conversions are required.

Answer 5

Meters, centimeters and millimeters are units of length in the Metric System, as are liters and grams for volume and weight. Since all units are based upon a system of 10's, all one has to do to convert one unit to another is move the decimal either right or left, depending on the degree of conversion. The American system, on the other hand, uses different degrees of conversion depending upon the system. Gallons, Cubic inches or feet and pounds are such units. As to your question, for example, there are 12 inches to a foot and 3 feet to a yard. 5,280 feet equals one mile, a quart is 1/4 of a gallon. Obviously, one must know conversion numbers that have seemingly no rhyme or reason for their numbers. The American system, therefore, is much more difficult to convert than is the Metric system of tens

Answer 6

1 kilometer = 1,000 meters

1 meter = 100 centimeters

1 kilometer = 100,000 centimeters

1 centimeter = 10 millimeters

1 meter = 1,000 millimeters

1 kilometer = 1,000,000 millimeters

1 mile = 1,760 yards

1 yard = 3 feet

1 mile = 5,280 feet

1 foot = 12 inches

1 yard = 36 inches

1 mile = 63,360 inches

Which system looks more appealing to you ?

Easier to learn ?

Easier to use ?

Answer 7

because the metric system is based on power of ten. for example, ten millimeters equals a centimeter, ten centimeters equals a decimeter, ten decimeters equals a meter, and so and so forth.

Answer 8

Actually, they are both equally easy:

Feet x 12 = inches

Meters x 100 = centimeters

Answer 9

Some people think it is easier to multiply and divide by powers of ten than by 3, 12 or 36.