# What is the conversion factor used to kilometers to meters?

Oct 13, 2016

Multiply the kilometers by 1000 to find the number of meters

#### Explanation:

There are 1000 meters in a kilometer so the conversion factor is 1000.

To change within the metric system it is helpful to visualize the metric system as a staircase. The higher ( bigger numbers) are on the top of the staircase and the smaller numbers at the bottom of the staircase. (See below)

Km
hkm

$$           dkm

m

dm

cm

mm


Each step in the staircase moves the decimal point one place or a power of ten.

Going down the staircase moves the decimal point one place to the right for each step.

Going up the staircases moves the decimal point one place to the left for each step.

Oct 18, 2016

The conversion factor is $\text{1000 m"/"1 km}$.

#### Explanation:

We know that $\text{1 km = 1000 m}$, so the conversion factor is either

$\text{1 km"/"1000 m}$ or $\text{1000 m"/"1 km}$.

For example, if you have to convert 65 km to metres, you choose the conversion factor with the desired units of your answer on the top.

65 color(red)(cancel(color(black)("km"))) × "1000 m"/(1 color(red)(cancel(color(black)("km")))) = "65 000 m"

This conversion factor cancels the units of "km" and gives the units of "m" in the answer.